Pedestrian Accidents And Other Accidents Involving Small Children
Small children are always susceptible to injuries and they are especially likely to be involved in pedestrian accidents. According to a survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of five children that are aged below 15 and were killed in traffic accidents in 2015 were due to pedestrian accidents. It is a fact that children who are not even inside a vehicle are at risk of sustaining injuries. Adults can help their offspring by knowing where these accidents normally occur and what to do after the child is hit by a car.
Some common ways of children pedestrian accidents
1. Backing out accidents: Every year thousands of children are killed by drivers backing out from parking places in a driveway. These reversing accidents can happen because a range of reasons such as the rearview mirror not being adjusted properly, the child suddenly darting in the car path, or the driver failing to look behind before backing up.
2. Distractions: Both pedestrians and drivers have to stay alert to the world around them. However, there are certain distractions around such as electronic devices and cell phones ringing while crossing the road. The two seconds it takes to send the text can result in an accident.
3. Drunk driving: It is estimated that more than 15% of the fatal pedestrian accidents involve drivers having BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) at a level of .08 or higher.
4. Accidents in school zones: The school zones and the areas around them are the most common places for child pedestrian accidents specifically before and after school hours. Many times drivers fail to observe the lower speed limits, do not wait for the crossing guards, or do not come to a stop at the intersections causing them to strike the children.
5. Rural roads: Children that are not old enough to drive need are also not aware of the traffic rules including how to judge the distance and speed of a car. This places them in risky situations when there are no sidewalks and they cross the road at places other than intersections typically on rural roads.
Left in a hot car
Surprisingly pedestrian accidents are not the only kind of car accident that harms the children. Many times cars not in motion have caused a child to be injured or killed. Every year many children die after being left in a hot car. Sometimes they are left for a short duration only but the truth is that children should never be left alone in a car especially in the summer.
It is a special duty of car drivers to avoid pedestrian accidents and watch out for children on roads. The state laws need the drivers to yield to the pedestrians crossing the roads and even take care not to hit someone venturing on the street illegally. Drivers have to stay in a completely stopped position until the pedestrian has crossed the road. If your child was hit by a car you can get in touch with the Rojas Law Group for an injury consultation.
Picture Credit: Pixabay
