The Tragic Statistics for The Number of Children Run Over in Driveway Accidents (Backover Accidents)
Around 50 children are injured every week in accidents involving a vehicle backing out of a residential driveway. Sadly, two children die every week from driveway backover injuries. Forty-two percent of all non-traffic car accident deaths involve a child and this number is made even more tragic because relatives and parents are often behind the wheel at the time.
The most common victim of a backover accident is a child or elderly adult. Research from 2007 indicates that roughly 100 of the estimated 300 annual backover related deaths involve children under the age of 5. Children under the age 5 account for 2,000 of 18,000 back over related injuries that occur every year.
Type of Vehicle Involved
Most backover accidents involve SUVs (sport utility vehicles) and pickup trucks. These motor vehicles have larger blind spots than other makes and models making it more difficult for drivers to notice small children behind the rear of the vehicle. A 5 foot 8 inch operator driving a midsize SUV has an average blind spot behind the vehicle measuring 18 feet.
What’s Being Done to Prevent Backover Accidents?
In order to counter this growing rate of backover injuries, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration set forth new recommendations advising auto manufacturers to make built-in rear backup cameras a standard feature on all new motor vehicles. The NHTSA recommended this in order to minimize the blind spot zone. Vehicle blind spots can be anywhere from 15 to 25 feet.
The NHTSA’s recommendation resulted in a new law being passed and beginning in May of 2018 all auto manufacturers will be required to make built-in rear backup cameras a standard feature on all new motor vehicles.
Boston Area Experienced Wrongful Death of a Child and Vehicle Backover Accident Attorneys
Initial Consultations Are Always Free
If your child suffered an injury or fatality in a vehicle backover accident we encourage you to call our personal injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan today. We have a proven track record with over 35 years of legal experience and our child injury and wrongful death attorneys have successfully represented countless families over the years.
We understand that no amount of compensation can reduce the pain of losing a child to an accident, or undo long-term damage or injuries your child may have suffered, but we can help you hold those responsible accountable for their actions and products. The law entitles you to seek compensation to help you recover any financial losses due to medical bills and lost income, or funeral expenses, as well as entitles you to seek compensation for any future expenses.
We know that talking about your case can be emotionally difficult and we treat all our clients with respect and compassion — there is no pressure and you pay nothing unless we recover for you. No matter where you are located, we are just a phone call away. Call our law offices today to schedule a free no-obligation case review and consultation at (508) 588-0422 or click the link below to use our Free Case Evaluation Form.
Our personal injury lawyers assist backover car and truck accident victims throughout Southeast Massachusetts including, but not limited to, those in the following counties, cities and towns: Plymouth County including Brockton, Plymouth, Bridgewater, Marshfield, Hingham, Duxbury, Wareham, Abington, Rockland, Whitman, Hanson, Middleborough; Norfolk County including Quincy, Stoughton, Dedham, Weymouth, Braintree, Avon, Holbrook, Randolph, Canton, Sharon, Brookline, Franklin; Bristol County including New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Mansfield, Easton, Raynham, Norton; and the Greater Boston area including Cambridge, Dorchester, Roxbury and Somerville.
