Pedestrian accidents especially child pedestrian accidents are often severe and traumatizing incidents. When a car hits a pedestrian, there is little to nothing that can protect them from being severely injured, other than an attempt to avoid the accident in the first place. Unfortunately, these accidents happen all too often and continue to be an issue across the country.
In 2019, there were over 6,000 pedestrians killed in motor vehicle accidents, with Maryland being among the top 20 states with the most fatalities. And those who are most at risk tend to be young children and elderly adults. Not only do these individuals get struck more often, but they also tend to suffer from more severe and even fatal injuries.
Just recently, there was an incident involving two young children in Montgomery County, Maryland. Reports say that the incident occurred on a Friday afternoon when a car struck an adult pushing two children in a stroller near Gaither Road and Piccard Drive. It is unclear how exactly the accident occurred, as it is still being investigated, but initial reports say that all three were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Though this accident luckily left the pedestrians mostly unharmed, it is more common for individuals who are hit to suffer from devastating injuries. Children especially are prone to getting hit by cars and suffering from severe injuries and fatalities.
If you or a loved one are injured in a pedestrian accident, the attorneys at Zirkin & Schmerling Law can help. No matter how minor or severe the incident, we will review your case and offer our guidance and support to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Injury Statistics Among Child Pedestrians
Though pedestrian accidents can happen to anyone, statistics show that children tend to be at higher risk of being involved and more severely injured. Below are some of the latest statistics and findings on child pedestrian injuries:
- In 2019, 359 fatal and 15,011 non-fatal injuries were reported from child pedestrian accidents.
- On average, child pedestrians suffer from 7 fatalities and 289 nonfatalities per week.
- Children ages 12–19 are at three times greater risk of pedestrian death than younger children.
- Male children tend to be injured and suffer fatalities more often than female children.
- Most child pedestrian fatalities occur in the months of March, July, September, and October.
- Most children are struck and killed while in the road at a non-intersection location.
- The total average annual medical cost for child pedestrian injuries is around $425 million.
- Work-loss costs from parents and guardians taking time off to care for their injured children after a pedestrian accident come to around $1.8 billion.
Why Are Child Pedestrians At Higher Risk of Being Hit By a Car?
Children tend to get hit more often for the simple fact that they pay less attention to their surroundings and their injuries are more severe because they are smaller and more fragile than older adults. Still, even though children are hit more often due to their own lack of awareness, it is the responsibility of drivers to pay attention and operate their vehicles with caution—especially in areas where there are more likely to be children out walking or playing.
Some of the most common causes of child pedestrian accidents include:
- Children darting out into the street
- Vehicles turning into the path of a child
- Children running out from behind school buses or ice cream trucks
- Children walking or running behind cars that are backing up out of driveways or parking spots
- Drivers who are distracted and not paying attention
- Fatigued drivers, especially in the mornings when children are walking to school
- Drunk driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
How to Prevent Child Pedestrian Accidents
It is the responsibility of parents, guardians, and drivers to take precautions to prevent child pedestrian accidents. Even if a child runs out into the road, they are not going to be held responsible as it is understood that children are not always capable of governing themselves and keeping themselves safe.
This is why parents and guardians need to set good examples and teach their children to be safer and more aware when walking or playing outside. Parents and guardians can help prevent these accidents by teaching children to:
- Only cross roads at corners or intersections.
- Look both ways before crossing.
- Cross only when the road is clear and continue looking both ways as you cross.
- Look for signs of cars that may be about to move (i.e., rear lights, the sound of the motor, exhaust smoke, etc.)
- Always use your eyes and ears when outside near the road.
- Always use a sidewalk if one is available.
- Walk in the direction facing traffic if there is no sidewalk.
Drivers can prevent child pedestrian accidents by:
- Avoiding driving while impaired or fatigued.
- Paying closer attention when driving around schools, parks, and residential areas.
- Approaching corners and intersections slowly and checking that children are not going to run out across the road before you proceed.
- Even if you have the right-of-way, always be aware that children could run out in front of you at any moment if they are nearby.
Have a Legal Question about a Child Pedestrian Accident? We Have Answers
If you or your child are injured in a pedestrian accident, our team of attorneys is here to help. The aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be devastating, especially when children are involved. You deserve to be compensated for your pain and suffering as well as for any medical expenses or lost wages related to the accident.
At Zirkin & Schmerling Law, we have years of experience helping pedestrians who are injured by negligent drivers. Contact us or call us at (410) 753-4611 to set up an appointment with one of our experienced accident lawyers today.