What Is the Most Common Cause of a Backover Accident?

Backover accidents are very tragic. These occur when a reversing vehicle hits a person or object. Sadly, children are frequently involved in backup accidents, and severe injuries or fatal injuries may occur.

Oftentimes, these accidents also involve elderly or disabled individuals, and they often occur in residential driveways or parking lots.

Although there are several contributing factors to these car accidents, the most common cause is limited visibility behind the vehicle.

By understanding the most common causes of backover accidents, it's possible to prevent accidents from happening in the first place. Our team also has insight on how many people are involved in a backover accident each year.

Understanding Backover Accidents

A backover accident occurs when a person is hit by a vehicle moving in reverse. Backover accidents happen at low speeds, in most cases, and often occur in non-traffic areas. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), backover accident statistics show that there are hundreds of fatalities and thousands of injuries each year in the US.

Though modern technology has improved vehicle safety, it hasn't done much to lower the instance of backover accidents.

The Primary Cause: Blind Zones Behind Vehicles

The most common cause of a backover accident is the presence of large blind spots, which are referred to as "blind zones." These are areas behind cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, or vans that prevent drivers from seeing people or objects. Children are especially difficult to see in these areas, and they are shorter than the rear window. As the vehicle reverses, the driver hits the person because they cannot see them. Even with mirrors, it's still very difficult to see people, especially kids, in the blind spots.

According to a Consumer Reports study, the average blind zone behind a vehicle is 15 to 25 feet. This depends on the size and design of the vehicle.

Children under the age of 5-years old are specifically vulnerable here because they are shorter than the line of vision. Tragically, the majority of backover accident victims are children.

Other Contributing Factors

Though poor visibility is the most common cause of backover accidents, there are other factors that may cause them:

1. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a leading factor in most car accidents, including backover crashes. Drivers who are more focused on their phones, other conversations, or adjusting in-cabin controls like the radio or GPS, are more likely to fail to check their surroundings. Even a brief distraction can affect driver responsibility, and thus, cause serious injuries to victims.

2. Lack of Awareness

In many cases, drivers simply do not expect someone to be behind their vehicle. This is especially true in environments that they are familiar with like their own driveway or in a place they go daily, like a school pickup area.

3. Absence or Misuse of Safety Technology

New vehicles are required to have certain safety features like backup cameras, and have had this requirement since 2018. Older cars, however, might not have these features, and this is why incidents occur in many cases. Even if a driver does have access to this technology, they might ignore it or not use the technology correctly.

4. Environmental Factors

Poor lighting, inclement weather, or visual obstructions such as overgrown shrubs and other parked vehicles can obscure visibility. These conditions increase the risk of a backover incident, especially during early morning or evening hours.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Certain people are more vulnerable to backover accidents. These include:

• Children, especially those under the age of 5-years old.

• Elderly people, as they may move slowly or have difficulty realizing that a vehicle is heading towards them.

• Disabled individuals, as they may have visual issues or they cannot hear a car coming at them

• Construction employees, as many backover accidents occur at construction sites

Sadly, many of those who have suffered injuries in a backover accident was hit by a parent, family member, or neighbor. This is especially common in residential areas.

Legal Implications in New York State

In New York State, the law considers backover accidents a type of personal injury law. This means that victims of backover accidents, as well as their families, may file a personal injury claim following a backover accident. A personal injury lawsuit can help victims seek compensation, which includes medical bills, lost wages, wrongful death, and more.

Here are some of the things these car accident attorneys in Long Island will try to prove in order to get compensation for their clients:

1. Driver Negligence

In the state of New York, drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicle with reasonable care. This means that not checking a driver's blind spot, a driver backing up without looking at their mirrors, pedal confusion, or other types of driver error could be seen as legal liability.

2. Premises Liability

If a backover accident occurs in a place like a parking lot or other private area, the property owner might be responsible, too. Several factors like poor lighting, design, or lack of signage could mean that the owner of the property could be at fault.

3. Manufacturer Liability

In some cases, a manufacturer could be held liable in a backover case. If the driver's backup camera or sensor is not working correctly, the manufacturer could hold fault.

Law offices like the Law Office of Carl Maltese offers legal options for those who have been affected by backover accidents. The experienced attorneys can help victims recover compensation to cover things like hospital bills.

Prevention Strategies

The best way to prevent backover accidents is to avoid backup accidents in the first place. Here are some tips to help lower the chance of life altering injuries from backup accidents:

• Walk Around Checks: Drivers should always walk around their vehicle before backing up, even in a parking space or in a familiar driveway. It only takes a few extra seconds.

• Use of Mirrors and Cameras: Checking all mirrors and utilizing backup technology, like rearview cameras consistently can help to save lives. This is especially the case with larger vehicles.

• Educating Children: Teaching children not to play around a parked car or moving vehicles is very important, especially because they are at a heightened risk of being hit.

• Vehicle Modifications: Installing aftermarket backup cameras or sensors in older vehicles can also help. Though most modern vehicles have these features, older cars don't.

• Improved Design: Advocating for safer driveway and parking lot designs in residential and commercial developments is also important, as occasionally an accident occurs due to poor design.

Parents, caregivers, and property owners all play a role in reducing the likelihood of these incidents. Community initiatives and public safety campaigns can further enhance awareness and promote responsible behaviors.

Contact the Law Office of Carl Maltese for a Free Consultation

Backover accidents are preventable tragedies that continue to affect thousands of families each year. The most common cause is the presence of blind zones behind vehicles, and this is made worse thanks to distractions, poor awareness, and inadequate use of safety technology.

On Long Island and across New York, understanding the root causes of these incidents can lead to more effective prevention and legal accountability.

The Law Office of Carl Maltese is ready to help victims and their families through the legal process after a backover accident. Through expert legal representation, the firm helps individuals navigate complex liability issues and pursue the justice they deserve. Even minor injuries, or injuries like broken bones can be very serious. Recognizing the most common causes of backover accidents is the first step toward creating safer communities and protecting those most at risk.

Call for a free consultation​.