Child Pedestrian Accidents: How a Lawyer Can Help
According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), auto accidents are the leading cause of death in children. A child is defined as those who are age 14 and younger. In 2015, there were a total of 5,376 total fatalities related to pedestrian accidents. Of that number, 233 of those fatalities involved child pedestrians. An estimated 70,000 pedestrians were injured in accidents, 8,000 of them being children.
When child injuries occur in Ormond Beach, FL, our team of attorneys is here to help. Let’s take a moment to analyze the NHTSA statistics, and then note some common causes of pedestrian accidents.
Breaking Down Child Pedestrian Accident Numbers
The NHTSA broke down these pedestrian accidents further.
- 219 fatal child pedestrian accidents involve a single vehicle
- 160 fatal accidents occurred at non-intersections
- 154 of these fatal collisions occurred in urban rather than rural areas
- 154 fatal accidents occurred on a weekday
- 29 child pedestrians were killed by hit-and-run drivers
The NHTSA also noted the time of day these child pedestrian accidents occurred:
- Daylight Hours - 138 fatalities
- Nighttime Hours - 79 fatalities
- Dusk - 11
- Dawn - 3
Simply given school hours and the normal activities of children, young pedestrians were more likely to be injured during daylight than adult pedestrians.
Drunk Driving and Child Pedestrian Accidents
Drunk drivers are a hazard to everyone on the road. While drunk drivers are less likely during daylight hours, it is possible for a motorist who has had too much to drink during lunch or the afternoon hours to strike pedestrians.
Reckless Driving and Child Pedestrian Accidents
Speeding, weaving, and other aggressive or reckless behavior behind the wheel increase the likelihood of a collision. Reckless drivers need to be held accountable for their actions when they result in injuries to pedestrians.
The Dangers of Texting While Driving
There are many causes of distraction while driving, but texting while driving is one of the most deadly and also most avoidable. Just taking your eyes and hands off the wheel for a few seconds could mean the difference between life and death.
Driving Poorly Around Schools
As you can imagine from the numbers above, injuries and fatalities are more likely when children are going to school and traveling home from school. Streets around schools are usually carefully monitored, with additional signs to remind drivers to slow down and be attentive. Poor driving around a school can be deadly, which is why extra caution needs to be exercised when driving in a school zone.
Lack of Crossing Guards
Crossing guards are common around schools, especially when very young children are present. If there is no crossing guard stationed where one usually ought to be, this can increase the risk of an otherwise avoidable accident.
Damages Sought Following a Pedestrian Accident
When filing a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent motorist, both compensatory damages and punitive damages will be sought. Compensatory damages will cover the material losses related to accident occurring, such as medical bills, emotional pain and suffering, long-term injury or disability, physical rehabilitation, and so forth. Punitive damages will punish the negligent driver for their actions.
In the case of a fatal accident, the damages will be adjusted to address funerary costs as well as the additional pain and suffering associated with the loss of a loved one. Punitive damages will likely adjust as well given the tragedy of the incident.
Learn More About Your Legal Options
For more information about your legal options following a serious injury to your child, we encourage you to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. We will help you in your time of legal need and ensure justice is served.