“Back-over accidents” are those that happen when a vehicle inadvertently hits, or runs over, an unseen person as the vehicle moves in reverse (i.e. “backs up”.)
The potential for “back-over” accidents (also referred to as “backover” crashes) have been an ongoing concern, particularly for various vehicles in which rear “blind spots” and other limited visibility occurs.
The January 10, 2012 post, titled “Preventing ‘Back-Over’ Deaths” discussed various issues regarding “back-over” deaths, as well as various statistics. As well, various statistics and issues are cited in the August 30, 2011 post titled “‘Back-Over’ Accidents – Statistics & Preventative Measures.”
Various technologies have been deployed to alleviate, or eliminate, limited rear visibility issues. Yesterday (March 31, 2014) the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a news release titled “NHTSA Announces Final Rule Requiring Rear Visibility Technology.”
Notable excerpts include:
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today issued a final rule requiring rear visibility technology in all new vehicles under 10,000 pounds by May 2018. This new rule enhances the safety of these vehicles by significantly reducing the risk of fatalities and serious injuries caused by backover accidents.
Today’s final rule requires all vehicles under 10,000 pounds, including buses and trucks, manufactured on or after May 1, 2018, to come equipped with rear visibility technology that expands the field of view to enable the driver of a motor vehicle to detect areas behind the vehicle to reduce death and injury resulting from backover incidents. The field of view must include a 10-foot by 20-foot zone directly behind the vehicle. The system must also meet other requirements including image size, linger time, response time, durability, and deactivation.
On average, there are 210 fatalities and 15,000 injuries per year caused by backover crashes. NHTSA has found that children under 5 years old account for 31 percent of backover fatalities each year, and adults 70 years of age and older account for 26 percent.
Additional details, including a link to the final rule, can be found in the above-mentioned news release, as well as the March 31, 2014 news release from kidsandcars.org.
Should you be involved in a vehicle accident, there are certain actions you should take in order to protect your rights. Elman Law Group has compiled a reference document titled “10 Steps You Should Follow After an Auto Accident.”
Elman Law Group LLC (ElmanLaw.com) concentrates in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases involving vehicle accidents (car, motorcycle, bike, bus, pedestrian, truck, etc.) This intense focus allows us to consistently achieve winning verdicts and settlements for our clients.
Should you be involved in a car accident, there are certain actions you should take in order to protect your rights. You should not assume – especially without proper legal representation – that you will receive appropriate compensation for your injuries, hardships and/or losses. To speak directly with a trial lawyer from Elman Law Group immediately, call (773) 392-8182 at any time. There is no fee for this consultation.