Vehicle Backovers Kill 99 Kids, Injure 2,000 in 2007

February 10, 2009

A recent report compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that 99 children died and 2,000 others were injured after being backed over by cars in 2007.

As part of a larger examination of "non-traffic" car-related deaths and injuries, the NHTSA's report was compiled by gathering data submitted in police reports. This study was initiated as a response to a 2008 law, which requires the agency to monitor:

* Backovers (These typically occur in residential driveways)
* Strangulation by power windows
* Deaths resulting from abandonment in hot cars.

According to NHTSA officials, such injuries and deaths are unnecessary and preventable. By taking a closer look at how and when these events occur, the NHTSA hopes to highlight:

* Better ways of identifying when people are behind cars or in window frames.
* How to improve rear vision for drivers (either through mirrors or sensors).

Other Statistics and Reports on "Non-Traffic" Incidents

Along with identifying injuries and deaths of children, the NHTSA report also found that:

* 122 adults (either pedestrians or cyclists) were killed in driveway backovers.
* 12,000 adults were injured in vehicular backovers.

These findings provide an interesting point of comparison/contrast to a similar report compiled for such events occurring in 2003.

In the 2003 report, officials found that:

* 168 individuals died after a car fell on them (because they were working on a car that fell from its supports)
* 147 people were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning emitted from vehicular exhaust
* 88 people died after falling from a car (usually from the roof or tailgate)
* 51 individuals died after exposure to extreme temperatures (either hot or cold) while being trapped in a car
* 44 died after being hit by a foreign object (such as a rock or piece of cargo)
* 5 were killed after being strangled by a window.

This previous report, which was compiled using data from the Center for Disease Control, also made informed estimates that:

* 150,000 individuals hurt themselves after slamming their hands or fingers in the car door
* 88,000 were hurt overexerting themselves on cars (either due to unloading cargo from cars or having to push a broken down car)

By regularly conducting such reports, the NHTSA (and other government agencies) are able to change flawed policies, improve unsafe devices and, ultimately, save lives.

When you need a lawyer who will exhaustively investigate your case and make sure that every responsible party is held accountable, contact The Killino Firm, where Keeping America Safe is our primary goal. To speak with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys, please call us toll free at 800-815-2603, or click here to send us an email. We will respond promptly to your inquiry so that you can experience the The Killino Firm Difference.

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