The Detroit Free Press recently reported that parents were lobbying Congress for stronger bills that would mandate certain measures to prevent children from being run over by a vehicle backing out (back-over), accidental suffocation by power windows, and injuries when the vehicle is shifted out of park.
The auto industry however has reportedly opposed these attempts citing the costs, which could be in the hundreds of millions of dollar to comply with the proposed regulations.
However, according to Kids and Cars , they report the death toll at 167 this year from back-overs as the most prevalent of the three accidents. In addition, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that every year, almost 2,500 children were treated in emergency rooms for back-over related injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been ordered to complete a study by November 30th that will detail the technologies available to reduce back-overs.
*This figure has gone up since the original Detroit Free Press article was written, and as of 9/23 the death toll for children from back-overs is reported as 194.
If you or a family member believes that you have a case involving injury or death due to a back-over or other auto related case, please contact us on-line at Regan Zambri & Long or call us at (202) 463-3030 for a free consultation. If you would like to receive our complimentary electronic newsletter, please click here.