Every vehicle has blind spots that obstruct the driver’s view while operating a vehicle. Generally, blind spots are the areas of the passenger car that cannot be seen while looking through either the rear-view or side mirrors. These blind spots are responsible for many backing up accidents in Pittsburgh and all across Pennsylvania.
However, it would be wrong to say that these blind spots cause all backing up car crashes, as getting distracted by a text message on the cell phone, having reduced reaction times due to alcohol impairment and many other types of human error are also common causes of backing over accidents in Pennsylvania.
Fact: Each year, about 18,000 people get injured in backing up crashes and another 30,000 sustain an injury in other types of backing accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Fact #2: Backing up accidents kill an estimated more than 400 Americans each year, with children accounting for nearly a third of backing accident deaths Another nearly 30 percent involve elderly persons over the age of 70.
DO NOT ACCEPT MONEY FROM THE DRIVER AFTER A BACKING UP ACCIDENT
Thus, if you or your loved one – elderly or child – were injured in a backing accident, do not be quick to accept the driver’s apology and his explanation that his view was obstructed in blind spots,” advises a Pittsburgh backing up accident attorney from Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman. “What’s more, if the driver extends his hand holding a sum of money that does not represent the amount of compensation that you deserve, do not accept it.”
Although the vast majority of backing up accidents occur at low speeds, a car performing a backing maneuver may still cause serious injury or even death to a pedestrian.
LIABILITY IN BACKING UP CAR ACCIDENTS
Many of you may wonder, “Okay, but what about liability in backing up car accidents?” In most cases, you will be able to hold the driver accountable for the losses and damages caused by the backing accident. As with other types of motor vehicle accidents, the victim has to prove that the driver was negligent, careless, or reckless when performing the backing maneuver.
For example, if a car driver fails to make reasonable checks of his or her surrounding by looking through the rear-view and side mirrors before backing his/her car up or that driver is distracted by a text message while performing a backing maneuver, the injured victim will most likely be able to prove the driver’s liability with the help of an experienced backing up accident attorney Pittsburgh.
However, the driver is not the only party that can be held liable for injuries in a backing up accident. For example, if the car had a manufacturing or design defect (especially brake failure), the victim may be able to sue the manufacturer of the car and/or its parts and components or seek compensation from the mechanic who failed to discover the defect.
In other cases, victims may be able to sue the owner of the parking lot or any other property where the backing up accident occurs, but only as long as they can prove the existence of some unreasonably dangerous condition that caused the accident (for example, a pothole or inadequate lighting).
It is advised to consult with a Pittsburgh backing accident injury lawyer from Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman to determine liability and the value of your compensation. Let our lawyers evaluate your case today. Call at (412) 391-7610 for a free case evaluation.
