Children are some of the most vulnerable people in society because they are often unaware of the dangers that are all around them. In 2016, statistics showed that one in every five children under 15 who lost their lives in a traffic-related accident was killed in a pedestrian accident. This means that children have more risks than just when they are traveling inside a vehicle. It is important to know that children also have rights in the midst of an accident caused by another party.

How do many pedestrian accidents involving children take place? How do we prevent these accidents to keep these vulnerable parties safe from harm? Children deserve special protection on our roads. By understanding the common ways these accidents occur, drivers can work to prevent these accidents and protect children who share the roadways.

Why Are Many Children Injured in Pedestrian Accidents?

Driveways and Parking Spots: Many of the accidents that occur each year involving children happen when a driver is backing out of their driveway or from a parking spot. When a driver does not have their mirrors angled properly or they just have a general inattention to the road around them, an accident could occur in the blink of an eye involving a small child who never knew to get out of the path of the vehicle.

Distractions: Drivers are always told to stay alert to the world around them to prevent many of the accidents that occur on our roads. By staying alert, drivers will be more focused instead of texting on cell phones, applying makeup, or eating while they are supposed to be driving. When a driver is paying close attention to technology or what is in their vehicle rather than the road in front of them, a distracted driving accident is more likely to happen involving a small child who might be unfamiliar with traffic laws. 

Drunk Driving: Drunk driving endangers everybody on our roadways, including young children. About 15% of fatal pedestrian accidents occur due to drunk drivers, making it one of the most dangerous acts that a driver could engage in.

Accidents in School Zones: Before and after school hours, children are known for navigating the roads around a school. When drivers do not obey the lowered speed limits in an area or did not wait for crossing guards, these accidents have taken lives and caused catastrophic injuries to others.

Evening Crashes: When children are coming home from after-school activities or spending time with friends and the roads are starting to get darker, pedestrian accidents are more likely to occur. This is especially true for children wearing darker clothing who are less likely to be seen.

Drivers Owe a Duty of Care to Small Children 

Drivers owe a greater duty of care to children who utilize our roads than they do to adults. This is simply because children are smaller and less difficult to see, as well as the fact that they do not understand the rules of the road as we do. Drivers must stay vigilant at all times to prevent these accidents from happening, which means partaking in safe driving rather than negligent driving.

If your child has been seriously injured in a pedestrian accident due to the recklessness of another party, you as a parent have a right to speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to find out what rights your child has. Our attorneys at Sheftall & Associates are highly skilled at assisting victims of these accidents and are dedicated to helping you achieve the best results. Please contact our Florida accident attorneys at 904-647-2296 to find out what we can do for you at this time.