When it comes to your child’s safety, you likely have many concerns as a parent. Unfortunately, traffic accidents account for many serious injuries and deaths involving young children, and it is important to understand the risks that your child faces around moving vehicles. Aside from crashes that injure kids riding in vehicles, children become particularly vulnerable while walking near traffic.
Parents should go over data on pedestrian collisions that involve kids in order to recognize the prevalence of these devastating accidents.
Statistics on pedestrian accidents involving children
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that pedestrian accident injuries accounted for 104,000 emergency department visits during 2020, based on estimates. In addition, pedestrian accidents resulted in the deaths of over 7,000 pedestrians in 2020.
According to CDC data, children are particularly vulnerable when it comes to fatal pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians accounted for 20.4% of children under 15 years old who lost their lives in pedestrian accidents during 2020, compared to 17% for those 15 and over.
Pedestrian safety and addressing an accident
The CDC also shares pedestrian safety tips that parents and children should go over. For example, pedestrians should walk on paths or sidewalks when possible, avoiding the road. When crossing the road, pedestrians should try to use crosswalks when they can, and pedestrians should not use electronic devices that can distract them while walking near moving traffic. Your child can increase visibility and help drivers see them during the night by wearing reflective clothing and using a flashlight.
If your child sustained an injury in a pedestrian accident due to a driver’s negligence, carefully examine the details of the incident and your options.