Vehicles pose many safety risks for children. While car accidents are a common cause of injury, there are a variety of other dangers that parents and caregivers should be aware of.
In this article, we’ll focus on tips for preventing backover incidents and trunk entrapment.
Backover Incidents
This type of accident most often occurs when a vehicle leaving a driveway or parking space backs over an unattended child that the driver did not see. Backover incidents can lead to serious injuries or death.
Backup cameras provide excellent preventative technology, but it’s important not to over rely on technology, especially if small children are nearby as you prepare to back up your vehicle.
The NHTSA offers several recommendations to help prevent backover incidents, including:
- Teaching kids not to play in or around cars. Children should also learn to move away from a vehicle that is running in a parked position or when a driver gets in.
- As a driver, check the area around your vehicle and walk around it before backing up.
- Check behind you while backing up slowly in case a child or pet runs behind your vehicle.
- Use your mirrors while backing up.
Trunk Entrapment
Getting trapped in a vehicle’s trunk can cause serious injuries as temperatures often rise quickly. This can cause heatstroke or asphyxiation. To prevent trunk entrapment, avoid leaving kids alone in or near a vehicle.
Make sure that kids know that vehicle trunks are not for playing. Lock your automobile doors and trunk when parked and make sure that keys and entry devices are out of sight of your kids.
Automobile manufacturers have been equipping all new vehicle trunks with a special trunk release that glows in the dark inside the trunk since 2001. If you have a vehicle manufactured after 2001, make sure to show your children how to use this release in case of an emergency. If you have an older vehicle that doesn’t have this mechanism, you can ask an auto care expert about getting your vehicle retrofitted with the feature.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
