Where Do Child Pedestrian Accidents Happen Most? You May Be Surprised

It won’t come as much of a surprise to most people that New Haven pedestrian accidents increase in the spring and summer months.  As the weather warms and there are more people out and about walking and biking along roads, pathways, and in parks and neighborhoods there is a higher volume of people and therefore a greater risk of accident.  There are other factors besides the warmer weather that increase the number of pedestrians that are walking and biking throughout our city as well, including longer days.

Today we want to focus on accidents involving children because the more and more children that are out and running around throughout the city the greater the danger becomes.  First a couple of pieces of valuable information from AAA about the incidents that occur most often with kids;

1.) Kids are twice as likely to get injured due to a pedestrian accident at a park then around a school zone.

2.) 80% of all accidents involving children happen OUTSIDE of an intersection.

It’s this second statistic that we found the most surprising.  When we think of pedestrian accidents we often think of a car going through a red light at an intersection and hitting a pedestrian because they are not following the rules of the road.  While this happens sometimes, when it relates to children, according to AAA it is not the most common way a child is injured in an accident.  Given that 4/5ths of all accidents involving children happen away from an intersection it is important to keep a couple of things in mind.

A.) Children are generally not as aware of traffic as adults are and therefore are more likely to not be paying attention to the rules of the road or generally the road around them.

B.) It is not uncommon for a child to run out into the road to chase after a stray ball or to go across the street to a friend’s house without looking both ways and crossing safely.

C.) Kids do not always use the best judgement when it comes to traffic situations, so you as the driver MUST use your best judgement.

The best thing you can do as a driver to avoid a New Haven pedestrian accident, especially one that involves a child is to take it nice and slow through crowded city streets and always be on the lookout in neighborhoods where children can come from any direction and in the blink of an eye be out in front of your vehicle.

If your child happens to be injured in an accident, you may need an attorney to review your case.  Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will speak with you and work to protect your child’s long-term interests.