Children and Pedestrian Injuries
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. It is a tremendous tragedy whenever a car accident involves pedestrian injuries. However, the stakes are even higher when the person being struck is a child. There are several reasons why children are at a higher risk of being hit by cars than adults. Some of these reasons include:
- Vision Issues: When people are driving, they keep their eyes in front of them, scanning for potential obstacles or other motor vehicles. Sometimes, the hood of a car or the view out of the back mirror can be limited. Children are often too short to be seen in front of a vehicle. This increases the chance of being hit by a vehicle.
- Not Knowing Any Better: Younger children may not realize that cars present a severe danger while crossing the street, particularly if the vehicle is moving. Therefore, they may not know that they shouldn’t step out in front of a moving car.
Regardless of the reasons, serious injuries can result from pedestrian accidents involving children. Even minor accidents could lead to a traumatic brain injury. This is a potentially catastrophic personal injury that could lead to wrongful death. Therefore, prevention is important, and this starts with education.
Strategies for Reducing Child Pedestrian Injuries
A team of professionals published some guidelines for parents and drivers that will help reduce the incidence of pedestrian injuries:
- Early Education: More and more children are learning at an earlier age thanks to the advances made in technology. Therefore, it is important to educate them at an early age about the dangers of a moving vehicle. Most of these accidents occur in parking lots and driveways. Therefore, make sure that children know they should hold their parent’s hand in the parking lot. When parents are backing out of a driveway, make sure to check the surroundings for children.
- Reduce Distractions: Many pedestrian accidents occur due to a driver’s lack of attention. Focus on the road while driving, particularly in a pedestrian-heavy area.
- Warning Signs: In family-oriented neighborhoods, it can be helpful to alert other drivers to the presence of children in the area. If people know that children are around, they are more likely to slow down for kids playing in the area. This will reduce the incidence of serious injuries, such as bone fractures.
Legal Assistance is Helpful
When a child is struck by a car, this can create a stressful situation for everyone involved. While parents are busy trying to decide what to do about their child’s medical care, speaking with a compassionate lawyer can be helpful. An attorney can help in numerous ways, including:
- Paperwork: When a child is in a hospital, the last thing that parents want to do is sift through paperwork.
- Legal Issues: Whenever a child is hit by a car, legal issues can arise. This can be overwhelming for parents.
- Insurance Claims: Insurance companies will often hesitate to cover costs if a legal issue is unfolding. This can add stress to the situation, and an attorney can help get these costs covered.
Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. Too many children suffer severe injuries due to pedestrian accidents. If your child has been hit by a car, call me at (916) 921-6400 at (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
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