Child Pedestrian Accidents: An Overview on What You Can Do
Pedestrians face some of the most dangerous situations on the road. There are no structural barriers or protections as cars speed by them. Pedestrians who are injured can face lifetime mental and physical injuries. These injuries are particularly saddening when the victim is a child. There are a few things to consider when a child is injured in a pedestrian accident due to a negligent driver.
A Look at the Statistics
In 2016, there were a reported 5,987 pedestrian fatalities in traffic crashes. 245 (4%) of those pedestrians were children. That same year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) stated in a report that over 1,200 children were killed due to car-related injuries. 20% of these deaths occurred when a child pedestrian was involved in an accident. The fact of the matter is that children are at risk of sustaining severe injuries that can affect their growth and development for the rest of their lives.
Duty of Care with Pedestrian Accidents
It is everyone’s responsibility to keep children safe. This is particularly important in the teachings of pedestrian and road safety. From parents to teachers, passing along safe pedestrian habits from a young age will ensure at least a basic level of safety on the road. Most of us were taught at a young age to look left, right, then left again before crossing a street. We were also discouraged from playing in the street or running after dropped toys like skateboards and footballs. However, even with this knowledge, one of the biggest contributors to children pedestrian accidents is not the children. Typically, these injuries are caused by distractions to both children and the driver.
Kids walking with their headphones or playing a game on their mobile device leave them at risk of the world around them; not just drivers, but in some cases muggers and kidnappers. Parents and other adults can lead by example by teaching children in their lives not to text or talk while walking and especially while driving.
Drivers also have a level of duty of care to look out for children and other things in the street that could cause an accident or injury. Regardless of how a child is behaving, the sole responsibility for the safety of pedestrians of all ages is on the driver. Motorists should refrain from texting and driving, distracted driving, and use particular caution during low visibility times, as 40% of pedestrian accidents occur during the hours of 5 pm and 9 pm during dusk.
Was Your Child Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?
If your child or a child you know was injured in a pedestrian accident due to negligent driving, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. Personal injury lawyers will be able to assist you in evaluating the facts of the accident while upholding the rights of you and your child. If your child has been injured in a pedestrian accident, you may be able to recover compensation for your child’s medical expenses, pain and long-term disability. Personal injury lawyers can help you gather medical records, obtain evidence and guide you in any legal actions of your case. If you need help with the next steps to protect your right to pursue a claim, the attorneys at Avera & Smith are here to listen. Give us a call, or schedule a free consultation.