What Is the Most Common Age for Backover Accident Victims?

Backover accidents are some of the most tragic accidents that happen on Long Island, but they are also some of the most preventable. These accidents occur when a reversing vehicle hits a person.

Commonly, these incidents occur in a residential driveway or in a parking lot. Sadly, the most common victims are children, as they are not very visible to reversing drivers, who are often a parent or close relative.

Understanding the age group most at risk can help improve awareness and promote prevention measures. For families on Long Island, this issue remains a serious safety concern.

Overview of Backover Crashes

A car accident that is considered a backover accident occurs when a driver reverses their vehicle and unintentionally hits a person behind them. These crashes often occur in:

• Residential driveways

• Apartment complex lots

• School and daycare parking areas

• Commercial parking lots

Though most of these vehicle accidents happen at low speeds, they can still be every dangerous and cause severe injuries and death.

Children - The Most Common Victims of Backover Accidents

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Safe Kids Worldwide indicate that the most common victims of backover accidents are kids under the age of 5-years old. Within this group, the children at most risk are between 12 and 23 months.

Here are some statistics about backover accidents involving children:

• Over 50 children are involved in backover incidents each week in the US.

• Approximately 2,400 children go to hospital emergency rooms each year for backover accident injuries

• More than 200 children die each year following backover accidents

Because the predominant age of most victims is under 5-years old, it's very important to teach children to stay away from parked vehicles.

Why Toddlers Are Most at Risk

There are many reasons why toddlers are most at risk of becoming victims of these accidents. Here are some of them:

• Toddlers are small, and most of them are under 2-feet tall, which is the sightline of a typical vehicles' rear window in most cases. Larger vehicles, like large SUVs and pickup trucks, have sightlines that are even taller.

• Small children often move quickly and unpredictably. They don't think a parked car is dangerous, and they don't recognize property lines. They may dart behind a vehicle moving in reverse before the driver even realizes it.

• Kids under the age of 2-years old also lack the cognitive ability to recognize the dangers associated with parked cars.

• Parents or caregivers of young children assume that since a child is on their property, they are safe, and therefore, might not take the same safety measures they may in a parking lot or busy street.

It may be beneficial to hire a vehicle accident attorney in Long Island to learn more about these risks.

Legal Implications and Parental Liability

In New York, victims of backover accidents are allowed to file personal injury cases to seek compensation if the driver was found to be negligent. If a driver does not use caution and doesn't check their mirrors, blind spots, or use safety features, they could be held liable.

The investigation will look into the following:

• Whether or not the driver was using caution when behind the wheel

• The presence of safety equipment like backup cams

• The design of the property

• Who is responsible for supervising the children

A personal injury lawyer like those at the Law Office of Carl Maltese offer support to families looking at legal options following an accident. Even minors have legal rights in these cases, and the financial toll can be just as devastating as the emotional one. Our team can share details on how many people are involved in a backover accident each year.

Prevention Strategies for Families and Communities

Knowing that toddlers are the most common victims of backover accidents, specific measures can be particularly effective to prevent them:

• Check Behind the Vehicle: Always walk around the vehicle before reversing, especially in residential areas or when leaving parking spaces.

• Use Backup Cameras and Sensors: These tools can help, but they are not foolproof, so drivers can't solely rely on them. Visual confirmation with a rearview mirror is still necessary to ensure no one in is a vehicle's blind zone.

• Hold Children’s Hands: When in parking areas or near driveways, always keep toddlers close and within arm’s reach.

• Designate Safe Play Areas: Ensure that children do not play near parked cars or driveways. Make the driveway a "no play zone," if possible.

• Educate Family Members: Anyone who might drive near children should be educated on the risks and prevention steps. Sadly, victims are usually hit by a parent, close relative, or neighbor.

Community and Policy-Level Solutions

In addition to individual actions, community and policy changes can also help reduce the number of backover incidents involving toddlers:

• Zoning and Urban Design: Creating pedestrian-safe zones and limiting driveway access in high-density areas can reduce risks.

• Mandatory Safety Features: Advocating for all vehicles to include rearview cameras, backup alarms, and sensors as standard features, not just new vehicles.

• Public Awareness Campaigns: Targeted efforts to inform parents and caregivers about the risks specific to toddlers. For instance, signage in a parking lot might make people reversing from a parking spot more aware.

When Backover Incidents Occur, Contact the Law Office of Carl Maltese

The answer to the question, "What is the most common age for backover accident victims?" is clear: It's toddlers, and the most predominant age is between 12 and 23 months old. These children are in a critical developmental stage, they don't recognize boundaries, and they are too small to be seen in blind zones, all of which make them especially vulnerable to being struck by a reversing vehicle.

For families affected by such accidents, legal assistance can provide not only compensation for things like medical bills and lost wages, but also peace of mind. The Law Office of Carl Maltese is committed to helping victims and families navigate the complex legal landscape surrounding backover incidents, including wrongful death. They can also advise how to avoid a backing accident.

Raising awareness about the specific dangers to toddlers, implementing prevention strategies, and holding negligent parties accountable are essential steps in reducing these heartbreaking events on Long Island and beyond. Call today for a free consultation.