I hate reeling off statistics to make a point, but I couldn’t resist these: Children 15 and younger account for 22% of all pedestrians injured in traffic crashes. And 38% of child pedestrian fatalities occur in crashes between 3 and 7 p.m (after school gets out).
So what’s my point? School’s back in session. When you are out driving, watch out for kids, especially in the hours before school (7:00 to 8:00 a.m. or so) and after school (3:00 to 7:00 p.m. or so).
Unfortunately, since I handle New York pedestrian injury and death cases, I know too well, up close, the devastation that car-on-child collisions cause. This past year I had to represent the family of a 4-year old killed by a car. No amount of money could ever replace that loss, of course. It is indescribably tough on the family of the dead child, but it isn’t a cakewalk for the at-fault motorist either. Imagine the life-long guilt, shame, and remorse!
If I never handle another dead pedestrian child case, I will still have handled one too many. Don’t let car-on-pedestrian-child accidents happen to you or your child. As a driver, watch out for kids, especially in the pre- and after school hours. And if you are a parent, go over safe crossing rules with your child as part of your new school year routine.
Finally, for a great review of school bus safety rules, review the recent blog post by fellow New York pedestrian injury lawyer Adam Gee.