SUV-Type Vehicles Increase Injury to Children in Charlottesville
While SUVs, vans, and trucks often come with more space, they also come with a larger blind spot. According to Kids and Cars, 60 percent of all backover incidents involve vehicles such as these. Of the 117 deaths reported in 2013, 42 were from backovers. Tragically, relatives and parents are often behind the wheel at the time of the accident in over 70 percent of the time. Most of these children are between the ages of 12 and 23 months. They are just learning to walk and get around but have not yet developed the capability to distinguish danger from safety. Often times, these accidents occur as a result of a child following a parent or relative into harm’s way.
Below is a list of tips to keep our children safe from non-traffic related accidents:
- Never leave a child alone around an automobile.
- Walk around the automobile before moving it.
- Keep vehicles locked at all times, even if they are in a garage.
- Teach your children not to play around or in a vehicle.
- Trim landscaping in your yard to ensure that you can see clearly when backing, especially near a sidewalk.
- Teach small children that “parked” vehicles might move. Let them know that the driver might not see them easily.
- Make sure that remote openers are always out of reach of children.
- Consider installing a rear video camera or extra mirrors in order to reduce blind spots.
Following tips such as those listed above will considerably reduce the risk of non-traffic related accidents. If your child has been injured in a non-traffic automobile accident in Charlottesville area, call The Warren Firm at (888) 709-9869 to speak with an attorney.
