What Is the Most Common Age for Backover Accident Victims?

Some of the most tragic accidents are backover crashes. These occur when a driver reverses their vehicle without realizing that another person is in their path.

Research and national statistics show that backover accidents involving children are the most common, especially with children under 5-years old.

Law firms like Tom Fowler Law represent victims of backover accidents and their families. After working through many personal injury cases, the firm has the knowledge and experience to ensure those who are injured in a car accident are represented. These include backover accidents. They can also advise on how to avoid a backing accident.

Understanding Backover Accidents

A backover accident occurs when a vehicle is reversing and strikes another person. Generally, this happens in a driveway, a parking lot, or other low-speed environment. When compared to other types of vehicle accidents, a backover accident usually occurs at low speeds and on private property.

Though many drivers assume that a backover accident isn't as serious and the risk of severe injuries is minimal, the reality is that backover injuries can be quite serious, and some children die as a result.

What Is the Most Common Age for Backover Accident Victims?

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and KidsAndCars.org, the most predominant age for backover accident victims is between 12 and 23 months. In other words, toddlers under the age of 2 are at the highest risk.

There are several reasons for this:

1. Physical Size and Visibility

Children under the age of 2-years old are extremely small—often standing just 2-3 feet tall. This means that they are not tall enough to appear in visible zones when near a parked car. A small child behind an SUV, a pickup truck, or a van is almost never seen because they are always in a blind spot.

2. Unpredictable Movement

Another reason children this age are often victims of backover accidents is because they are curious and move in unpredictable ways. One minute they might be standing next to a car and the next, they have darted behind it.

3. Lack of Supervision

Oftentimes, a backover accident happens in a familiar place like a driveway. Caregivers often become complacent when they are in a familiar place, and they might not pay attention to what the child is doing.

4. Lack of Awareness

Children do not understand how dangerous a vehicle can be, which puts them at a much greater risk of getting hurt. They don't recognize boundaries or property lines, and they are known to get themselves into places they shouldn't be.

Statistics That Highlight the Risk

To better understand how risky a backover crash is to children, it's important to take a look at some statistics:

• According to Kidsandcars.org, approximately 50 children are backed over by vehicles each week in the United States.

• The Centers for Disease Control reports that roughly 2,400 children are treated annually in hospital emergency rooms for backover-related injuries.

• An estimated 50% of all backover fatalities involve children under the age of 5, with the peak age group being 12–23 months, according to the NHTSA.

• Sadly, in over 70% of backover incidents involving children, the driver is a parent or close relative, according to Kidsandcars.org.

This data shows us that children are the most common victims in these accidents, and sadly, many of them are severely injured or killed. In these instances, it may be beneficial to consult these car accident attorneys in Des Moines for help with such cases.

Common Locations for Backover Accidents Involving Young Children

Backover accidents can happen anywhere, but the most common locations include:

• Residential driveways

• Apartment complex parking areas

• School drop-off or pick-up zones

• Church and daycare parking lots

These environments have many vehicles moving at low-speeds and high pedestrian activity, including children who may be difficult to see or predict.

Vehicle Types Most Often Involved in Backover Incidents

Larger SUVs, pickup trucks, and vans are more likely to be involved in backover incidents simply because of their design. They have larger rear blind zones than other cars, and even with advancements in backup camera technology and backup alarms, often found in new cars, the risk remains high when a driver doesn't check their surroundings.

Prevention Strategies to Protect Vulnerable Children

The best way to protect kids is to prevent these accidents from happening in the first place. Some ways to do this include:

1. Always Walk Around the Vehicle Before Reversing

Drivers should ado a visual check around their vehicle every time they back up, particularly in residential areas or in areas where children are playing.

2. Install and Use Backup Cameras

While many new vehicles come with rearview cameras, aftermarket cameras can also be installed on older models. These systems help reduce blind spots, especially on larger vehicles, but should not replace manual checks.

3. Use Rear Parking Sensors

Parking sensors provide an audible alert when an object or person is detected behind the vehicle. These systems can be especially useful in low-light conditions or in parking spaces that are in busy areas.

4. Keep Children Supervised

Children should never be left unattended in places where vehicles may be reversing out of a parking spot or driveway. Designating a safe play area away from driveways and garages is also very important.

5. Teach Children Vehicle Safety Early

Educating toddlers about the dangers of moving vehicles and instilling rules about staying away from driveways can help reduce risks.

Legal Considerations for Families Affected by Backover Accidents

If a backover crash occurs, determining who is at fault is important because it opens up legal options for the victims. In many cases, these accidents occur due to negligent driving, inadequate vehicle safety measures, and improper supervision.

In Iowa, personal injury law allows victims and their families to file claims for damages such as medical expenses/medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and—in tragic cases—wrongful death.

Tom Fowler Law helps families navigate these emotionally difficult cases. They have insight on how many people are involved in a backover accident each year.

If a child has been injured or killed in a backover accident, families may not know where to turn or what steps to take next. Even a child has legal rights. A personal injury attorney can offer legal advice and help the victim, or family, get the compensation they deserve.

Understanding the risk factors, using prevention tactics, and seeking legal advice when tragedies occur are all important steps towards protecting victims. Tom Fowler Law remains committed to helping families in Iowa recover and rebuild in the aftermath these accidents. Free consultations are available.