Rear cameras or backup cameras are becoming a standard feature in many new cars—and for good reason. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nearly 300 people are killed and 18,000 injured by drivers who mistakenly back over them. Most typically, children are the prime victims because their size and small stature make them virtually impossible to see in a rearview mirror.
The larger the vehicle, like a truck, the larger the blind zone is in the rear. Large SUVs, vans, pickup trucks, and minivans are especially likely to miss a child that has wandered up behind them. The result is often tragic and in many cases fatal, in this case, a truck accident lawyer would be your point of contact.
A recent IIHS study confirmed that rear cameras, or backup cameras, are the most promising technology available for avoiding such devastating accidents. The study was conducted in an empty parking lot. Participants took turns backing large vehicles out of parking spots. They were only told that they were evaluating the vehicle’s entertainment system, not that they were taking part in a backup camera study. At random times, the researcher would place something behind the vehicle—a foam cutout of a child. The driver was then told to back out of the parking spot.
The results of the study showed that SUVs had the worst visibility, while small cars had the best. Yet when backup cameras were utilized, back-over accidents were reduced by 90%. While the results were promising, backup cameras did not prevent every single accident from occurring. According to researchers, lighting, weather, and driver inattentiveness still created situations where deadly back-over accidents could occur. We offer help to car accident victims no matter the circumstances of your case.
If your child was killed by an inattentive driver, it is important to know that you are not alone. For decades, the wrongful death lawyers at Kelley/Uustal have been fighting for the rights of grieving families in Fort Lauderdale. Contact us today to find out how we can assist you. If you were hit by a driver while riding your motorcycle, contact one of our accomplished Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyers.
