Backover and Parking Lot Accidents in Massachusetts
When most people think about traffic accidents, they picture vehicles traveling at high speeds colliding in side-swipe, head-on, or T-bone collisions. While these accidents can be deadly, another type of accident can be equally as devastating: backover accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are dozens of backover fatalities per year and even more injury-involved backover incidents. If you or a loved one has been involved in a backover accident, our experienced professionals at Tetzel Law can help. Reach out to us today to learn more about your legal rights.
What Is a Parking Lot Backover Accident?
A backover accident refers to an accident in which a driver who is reversing their vehicle reverses into a person, injuring or killing them. While these accidents often happen in parking lots, they are also possible in driveways. Backover accidents may occur as a result of a driver’s failure to look or demonstrate the proper degree of care before reversing. In some cases, they may also be the result of the negligence of the victim.
Liability and Compensation for a Backover Accident
Most backover accidents are caused by a driver’s failure to look or otherwise exercise the proper degree of care when reversing their vehicle. All drivers have a legal obligation to operate their vehicles safely and responsibly; when this duty is breached and someone is harmed as a result, the driver can be held liable for injuries and damages.
In rare cases, there may be another cause of a backover accident that is external to the negligence of the driver. For example, a vehicle defect may have played a role in the accident. In this case, a claim against the responsible party may be appropriate.
Types of compensation that may be available in a backover accident claim include compensation for the full value of economic and noneconomic damages suffered by the victim. This includes the value of medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Steps to Take After a Backover Accident
If you’re involved in a backover accident or are the loved one of someone involved in a backover accident, it’s important to take action quickly to preserve your right to legal action. Important action items include taking photos of the accident scene and injuries, reporting the accident to the police and requesting a copy of the police report, seeking medical care and documenting all injuries and the recovery process, and notifying the insurance company of the accident as soon as possible. If there were any eyewitnesses to the accident, getting a statement from them is also recommended.
Call a Massachusetts Car Accident Lawyer Today
One of the most valuable things that you can do after being involved in a backover accident is to call a car accident attorney who has experience in parking lot and reversing accidents. An attorney can review your case and provide you with advice about the next steps to take. At the office of Tetzel Law, our Massachusetts car accident attorney will advocate for you throughout the process and work hard to protect your interests. Call today at (617) 742-1700 or send us a message online to request a free, no-obligation consultation.