Advances in vehicle technology over the past few decades, such as the introduction of backup cameras, have made it easier to identify potential obstructions in a motorist’s path as they’re backing. Some would say that this onboard tech has made a significant impact on the number of crashes that would have otherwise occurred in parking lots, driveways, and other common places where backing accidents typically happen.
Some would say that these reversing accidents still happen far too often. And one of the reasons they might cite for their occurrence is driver errors. This assertion may lead some to wonder what percentage of backing accidents are preventable by the driver. Keep reading where we’ll address this question.
Reversing Crash Avoidance
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests that an overwhelming majority of collisions that occur when motorists are backing up can be avoided. In fact, the federal agency contends that all but less than 10% of those wrecks that occur when a driver is reversing are avoidable.
Research conducted by the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) aligns with the conclusion. That state agency determined that at least 92.3% of backing crashes could be prevented if a motorist made alternate choices. This is significant, as that investigation also uncovered how only 47% of all other types of collisions could have been avoided if drivers had done something differently.
What Driver Errors Cause Backing Accidents?
Various factors give way to collisions that occur when drivers put their vehicles in reverse, including:
- A lack of visibility: This often has to do with obstructions in or blindspots around rear windows or failures to properly adjust mirrors or view backup cameras.
- Failing to perform walkarounds: Circling one’s vehicle, looking for children, toys, animals, etc., immediately prior to one attempting to back up can be effective in helping them avoid crashes.
- Driver inexperience: Being clear as to how to turn the wheel of the vehicle to ensure it goes in the direction one wants, especially a car or truck that’s hauling a trailer, is critical to avoiding a crash when backing up.
- Backing out too fast: Reversing out of a parking spot slowly not only makes it easier for a driver to exert more control over their vehicle but also ensures that if impact is made, the harm it causes is much less than it would otherwise be if it occurred at a faster speed.
- Not using a spotter: Motorists often think they can see everything to the rear of their vehicle and that they don’t need another set of eyes to help. This couldn’t be further from the truth. If there’s any chance of a driver missing something and there’s a passenger they can ask to step outside the car and check, they should do so.
- Driver inattentiveness: Some motorists may find themselves too distracted by a phone call, a conversation with someone in their car, etc., and they don’t properly scan the area behind them to notice someone entering their path behind their vehicle.
One of the biggest mistakes drivers make that leads to preventable backing accidents is that they make the false assumption that another person, such as a pedestrian or construction worker, is going to notice that they’re backing out and respond accordingly. A motorist should never assume someone else is going to be cognizant of what is going and respond appropriately even if so.
Steps To Take If You Were Struck by a Motorist
The statistics cited above don’t specifically speak to whether those struck in reversing crashes were hit as pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, or when traveling in their cars. However, it’s likely that all were involved.
If you’re seeing this article in the immediate aftermath of a backing crash and you’re hurt, you should certainly contact the police to come make a report and aid with the exchange of contact information between you and the motorist involved. You will also want to request that paramedics be sent to the scene if you believe you’re injured in any way.
Once you’re done speaking with law enforcement and have seen a doctor to assess your medical condition, your next step should be contacting a car crash attorney in Wichita. Most lawyers who regularly handle auto collision cases offer free consultations so injury victims can better understand their rights. This is something we also do at Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC, so please reach out to us now for your free case evaluation if someone hit you while they are backing out in Wichita or elsewhere in Kansas.