Driveway and Backover Accidents
Vehicle accidents don’t happen just on major roads at top speeds. Sometimes they can happen right outside our homes, in our very own driveways. Driveway accidents often occur at low speeds, but don’t let that fool you. They can be very hazardous – even tragic.
If you or a loved one has been injured or involved in a driveway accident, call the vehicle accident attorneys at Kaplan Lawyers PC to learn more about your options. We have helped hundreds of clients win payment for the injuries they have suffered. We believe that when a driver’s mistake or carelessness causes another person serious harm, they should be held responsible for the burden they have placed on their victim.
The Tragedy of a Driveway Collision
One tragic example in Queens in 2016 occurred when a van driver was backing out of a commercial driveway off Astoria. The 44-year-old backed into a stroller carrying an eight-month-old boy being pushed by his mother. The child was killed and the driver was taken into custody. One report from Streetsblog claimed that the driver appeared to be intoxicated, though the authorities did not comment.
According to the Gothamist, this area of Astoria is particularly dangerous and plays host to many vehicle accidents every year. New York’s roads are plagued by what is often referred to as a car-first design, meaning that pedestrians and cyclists have historically not been considered in the design of our infrastructure.
Not Just a Problem with Infrastructure
The horrific example above highlights some of challenges of our city’s infrastructure, but it also represents a common human flaw on our roads. It’s not clear whether the driver of the van was impaired, but it is obvious that human error played some role in the collision. Driveway accidents are often the result of driver distraction, drunk driving or aggressive and reckless driving. People who fail to pay attention to their surroundings when pulling out of a driveway will be more likely to hit a pedestrian or collide with another vehicle.
Every week in the United States, two children are killed and 48 more are injured in backover accidents.
The clear majority of victims in backover pedestrian collisions are children under the age of five. In recent years, more vehicles are equipped with technologies like rear cameras, but far too many vehicles that are not equipped with the latest safety technology are still on our roads.
How Driveway and Backover Accidents Happen
These tragic accidents are often the result of human error, which can come in many forms, including:
- Failure to yield to pedestrians
- Failure to yield to oncoming traffic.
Consequences of Driveway Accidents
Small children suffer serious injuries in these collisions, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and internal organ damage. Their lives can be changed forever, leaving families to deal with the emotional, physical and financial consequences of a negligent driver’s actions. The costs of these injuries are staggering, and they can have ripple effects that linger for a lifetime.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a driveway or backover accident in New York, contact Kaplan Lawyers PC. We will help you earn compensation for the damages you have suffered. Our vehicle accident attorneys will fight for you and your family to make sure that the negligent driver is held accountable. Call us today for a free consultation.
Attorney Jared S. Kaplan
Attorney Jared S. Kaplan has focused his career on advancing his legal knowledge though the day to day practice of law. Jared is a partner in the law firm of Kaplan Lawyers PC in Syosset, New York and has been a practicing attorney for nearly 20 years. His career started in litigation, so Jared is aware of the pitfalls in litigation and uses that knowledge in the representation of his clients in complex matters. [ Attorney Bio ]