Back-Over Car Accidents
When one considers the huge number of miles travelled in this country by millions of individual drivers, private and professional, it’s hardly a surprise that tens of thousands of people are hurt or killed in traffic-related accidents every week in the U.S. This makes the chances of a Maryland driver being involved in a car, truck or motorcycle crash at some time in his or her life usually quite high. But as anyone who lives in this densely populated state probably knows, one hardly needs two or more vehicle to make for a tragic auto accident in Baltimore, Rockville, Annapolis or even Washington, D.C.
As we have seen time and time again, pedestrians are also at great risk of being hurt or killed by negligent drivers in our urban areas, as well as residential communities. As Maryland automobile accident attorneys, Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, is always ready and willing to assist victims of serious personal injury accidents and families of those killed in fatal auto and trucking-related collisions. This applies as much to the driver and occupants of a car, truck or minivan struck by a commercial motor vehicle as it does to a child riding her bike to school or an adult walking to work.
While pedestrian accidents are far less common than auto wrecks in general, the so-called back-over accident may be even occur less frequently, yet these life-threatening encounters can be just as deadly as other pedestrian-related collisions. Auto, truck and commercial bus accidents usually occur due to the negligence of one of the drivers. Because the theory of fault is usually based on negligence, the driver who fails to act reasonably while operating his or her vehicle is typically at fault; and the same can be said for pedestrian back-over incidents.
Overall, traffic-related accidents top out at about six million each year in the United States, with back-over pedestrian collisions being a much smaller component of that number. By some estimates, less than 20,000 people nationwide are injured annually in these kinds of crashes, while the number of fatalities average around three hundred per year. However small the percentage of fatal back-over accidents may be, it can hardly be comforting to families who have lost a loved one due to another individual’s negligent actions.
As one might expect, the overwhelming majority of back-over car accidents take place off of public roadways. This type of potentially tragic occurrence can happen in parking lots, multi-level parking garages, in urban alleyways, and in residential driveways, not to mention any other location where foot traffic and motor vehicles are in close proximity.
One of the typical groups that are impacted by back-over auto accidents would be children. Toddlers and other younger kids can end up being run over by the family car or a vehicle driven by a friend, neighbor or commercial delivery truck driver. Although infrequent, the tragic news of a youngster being killed or severely injured in their own driveway by a car or truck can be a shock to friends and neighbors alike. Families who lose a child to this kind of truly senseless accident may have years of regret and emotional pain ahead of them.
As traffic accident lawyers, the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen understand the law and how it applies to these kinds of tragedies. We know, in fact, that back-over accidents can often involve larger pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) due to the higher profile of these motor vehicles and taller seating position of the driver. Because these light trucks and SUVs can have larger “blind areas,” there is a greater chance of a back-over accident, given the right circumstances.
In many instances, the driver who causes the injury or death of a child in a back-over accident can often be a family member, close relative or good friend. Such an event can lead to extremely traumatic and upsetting circumstances for all those touched by this kind of tragedy.
If you or someone you love has been hurt as a result of a back-over accident, you may consider contacting the personal injury experts at Lebowitz & Mzhen to better understand your rights as a victim of a traffic-related accident. We understand the dynamics of a back-over-related auto or truck collision and we recognize the potential complexities that such events can entail.
As skilled legal professionals, the lawyers at Lebowitz & Mzhen have the experience to ensure that past and present, as well as future medical expenses will be covered for a child seriously injured in a back-over incident. Please contact us to schedule a free, no obligation consultation. We are more than happy to speak with you regarding your motor vehicle-related personal injury. You may email Jack Lebowitz or Vadim Mzhen, or call us at our toll-free number: (800) 654-1949.