Where Do Most Backover Accidents Occur?

When considering all of the different types of car accidents, backover accidents are some of the most tragic accidents. This is generally because the most common victims are children, and the drivers in these accidents are often the parent, family member, or neighbor of the victim.

The Law Office of Carl Maltese, based on Long Island, New York, wants to raise awareness about these incidents, their common locations, and what families can do if they are impacted. They are able to answer questions such as what is a backover accident?

Understanding Backover Accidents

Typically, a backover accident occurs when a vehicle is reversing and collides with a person who is in the path of the vehicle. Though these incidents occur at low-speed in most cases, they can still result in serious of fatal injuries. This is especially the case when the victim is a child. Unlike a high-speed collision on a highway, a backover accident takes place in residential areas, parking lots, or in places where people generally feel safe, like their own property.

Common Locations for Backover Incidents

When looking at studies and statistics, there are several factors can lead to a heightened risk of these accidents, and one of these factors is location. These environments often share similar characteristics like limited visibility, a lot of pedestrians, and driver distractions.

Here are some of the most common places where backover accidents happen:

Residential Driveways

The most common place for backover crashes to occur is in residential driveways. These incidents commonly involve children, but adults can also be injured. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), many of these accidents occur when a family member is leaving home and does not see a child behind the vehicle. Children can be unpredictable, and they often play in and around driveways.

Parking Lots

Commercial and apartment complex parking lots are another high-risk area for backover accidents. Typically, there are a lot of pedestrians in these areas as well as a constant flow of cars that are moving around. Drivers often have to move out of a parking space without a lot of visibility, and even with a backup camera, visibility can sill be compromised.

School and Daycare Pickup Areas

Pickup and drop-off zones also pose a risk for backover incidents. These areas are chaotic with children and cars trying to navigate through crowded spaces. People are also in a hurry and distracted, which leads to poor decisions and delayed reactions.

Urban Streets and Alleys

In areas like large cities or old neighborhoods with narrow streets and alleys, it can be difficult to move a vehicle in tight spaces. Larger vehicles have a more difficult time maneuvering in these settings, which put pedestrians at a greater risk.

Commercial Loading Zones

Commercial loading areas behind malls, retail stores, restaurants, and office buildings are also common places for backover accidents. Workers, delivery personnel, and even pedestrians who enter these zones may become victims. These areas are generally not for pedestrians and may lack appropriate lighting or signage to warn individuals of vehicle movement.

Construction Sites

Construction sites are often chaotic, loud, and drivers of vehicles often have to maneuver in tight spaces. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023, 22% of fatalities on construction sites were caused by transportation incidents, which include backover accidents.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Data shows that the most vulnerable people in backover accidents include:

• Children under the age of 5 - Those between 12 to 23 months old are the common victims in this age group. Their small size makes them difficult to see from the driver’s seat.

• Elderly individuals - Elderly people have slower reflexes or reduced mobility, which makes it harder to avoid an oncoming vehicle.

• People with disabilities - Those with visual or hearing impairments are also at higher risk in shared spaces with reversing vehicles.

Many of these incidents involve a driver who is a relative or someone familiar to the victim, which makes them even more tragic. This is especially true when the victim has suffered injuries or has died as a result of the accident.

Contributing Factors in High-Risk Areas

There are several factors that can lead to backover collisions. These include:

• Limited Visibility: Large cars like SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks often have larger blind spots. This means that drivers can't see people behind them. Shrubs and other obstacles can reduce visibility, too, which means drivers may not see a bicyclist or someone walking on the sidewalk.

• Distraction: In familiar settings like home driveways, drivers may become complacent and not pay attention to their surroundings. Phones, radios, and other people are common distractions.

• Lack of Safety Technology: Older vehicles may not be equipped with safety equipment like rearview cameras or backup sensors, which help to prevent backover incidents.

• Environmental Hazards: Poor lighting, obstructed views from landscaping or parked vehicles, and adverse weather conditions can reduce visibility.

Legal Implications for Backover Accidents in New York

Under New York law, victims of backover accidents may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit. The Law Office of Carl Maltese often helps families navigate these complex legal situations and recover compensation. In summary, these vehicle accident attorneys in Long Island may be able to help with the below.

1. Driver Negligence

If a driver fails to check their mirrors or backup camera, or is distracted at the time of the accident, they may be held liable for negligence. Legal action can result in compensation for medical expenses/medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

2. Property Owner Responsibility

In parking lots or apartment complexes, the property owner may be partially responsible if there is poor lighting, no signage, or unsafe design.

3. Vehicle Manufacturer Liability

In rare cases, if a vehicle's safety system malfunctions, if backup alarms or cameras don't work as they should, or a design flaw contributed to the driver’s inability to see behind the vehicle, the manufacturer could also bear responsibility.

How to Prevent Backover Accidents

Backover accidents can cause severe injury and wrongful death. In addition to backover fatalities, head injuries, broken bones, and other serious injuries might occur. The best way to protect small children and other potential victims is to prevent accidents in the first place by doing the following:

• Use of Backup Cameras: All new vehicles are required to have rearview cameras, but retrofitting older vehicles can also be life-saving.

• Supervision of Children: Parents and caregivers should always supervise children around moving vehicles, especially during high-traffic times. They should also be taught that a parked car is not safe.

• Infrastructure Enhancements: Installing convex mirrors in parking lots, improving lighting, and placing warning signs can help reduce risk and keep children safe.

• Driver Education: Raising awareness about the risks and encouraging routine visual checks before reversing can greatly improve safety.

Work With the Law Office of Carl Maltese

Backover accidents can have devastating consequences, and those who are victims in these cases have the right to seek compensation and recover damages. A driver backing up should be in total control of their vehicle, and even if it is a close family member, the victim needs to be compensated through a legal claim. Our team can share advise on how to avoid a backing accident as well.

The legal team at the Law Office of Carl Maltese offers a free consultation to those who are in this situation, and legal options are available for those were were injured. An attorney can help get compensation for medical bills, lost income, property damage, and more. Call a lawyer, today, to see if there is a case​.