Louisiana Drivers Can Eliminate the Risk of Back-Over Accidents

Every week in this country, 2 children are killed and another 48 are injured when cars back up along the curb, in parking lots or on driveways, because drivers do not see the small children while they are maneuvering.

More than three-quarters of the time, it is a parent or close relative who is driving the vehicle, which only makes the accident more tragic.

Back-over accidents in Louisiana have become more prevalent with bigger cars, like SUVs, pickup trucks or minivans, which have large blind spots, especially at the rear.

What most drivers do not realize is that the rear blind spot is much bigger than they might think, ranging from some 25 feet long for a minivan to 50 feet for a pickup truck. This is more than enough space for small children to come into harm's way.

How do you prevent back-over accidents?
The first precaution adults need to take when they maneuver a car in a place where children are present is to check around the vehicle, and make sure the children are under supervision while you back up. Children can very quickly move from one place to another, which means that checking around the vehicle before you get behind the wheel is not enough.

The other precaution is to install a rear-view video camera that gives you a comprehensive view of hazards, pets or children that might stand in the rear blind spot. Many new cars have such a system already installed, as well as a warning system that beeps with increasing frequency when the vehicle approaches an obstacle. The beepers alone do not offer sufficient protection to prevent back-overs, but a camera does. Aftermarket cameras are now available and can be installed on most vehicles.

Many motor vehicle accidents are preventable. Read our library and blog for tips on how to make sure that, if you have an accident, it won't be because you didn't do everything possible to prevent it.

If you have been hurt in a car, truck, motorcycle or bicycle accident caused by someone else, contact the New Orleans accident attorneys of the Young Firm for a FREE discussion of your case. Also order our FREE lawyer book "A Guide To Steering Through a Serious Vehicle Accident in Louisiana."