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Mississippi Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Discuss the Dangers Posed to Children Pedestrians on Halloween

Halloween is around the corner and while many families are preparing decorations and costumes, far fewer have given thought to the potential dangers that lurk for children on October 31.  All parents and children should spend some time making themselves aware of the safety threats that exist for child pedestrians on Halloween.  Halloween is the most dangerous day of the year for children under the age of 18, with more child fatalities than even July 4th and New Year’s Day.

Recently, a group of researchers examined over four million records detailing the deaths of children between the ages of 0-18 on Halloween between the years of 1990 to 2010.  Each entry concerned a child that had died due to some sort of accident on Halloween.  The alarming findings of this research project are detailed below:

  • October 31 is the deadliest day for child pedestrian accidents:  In the years included in the study, 115 children were killed by drivers on Halloween.  This equals 5.5 child pedestrian fatalities on Halloween each year, which is double the average daily rate of 2.6 fatalities.
  • The deadliest hours:  Over 60 percent of all pedestrian accidents on Halloween occur during the four hour period between 5 and 9 p.m.  Nearly a quarter of all accidents occur between the hours of 6 and 7 p.m. alone.  This is perhaps surprising because it is still light outside during this period, but perhaps the sheer number of children out at this time contribute to the accident rate.
  • Stick to crosswalks and intersections:  The majority, 70 percent, of all child pedestrian accidents on October 31 occurred in the middle of the block and away from crosswalks and intersections.
  • Young drivers pose the greatest risk:  Younger drivers between the ages of 15 and 25 were most likely to kill child pedestrians on Halloween, causing one third of all such accidents.
  • Older drivers proved safest:  Drivers in their mid-thirties and those in their early sixties were least likely to hit child pedestrians on October 31.  These drivers likely took to the roadways on this holiday less frequently and exercised appropriate caution in keeping an eye out for young children.
  • Halloween fatalities are on the decline:  During each of the last six years of the study (2005-2010), there was a decrease in the number of Halloween child fatalities below the average of 5.5 deaths.  This could be an encouraging sign that more parents, drivers, and children are taking note of the dangers and taking action to correct them.  All parents and children should remain vigilant, however, as the risks persist.

Barrett Law PLLC: Mississippi Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Fighting for Justice for Any Child Who Has Been Injured or Killed in an Accident

The death or injury of a child in a senseless accident is tragic beyond words.  The Mississippi Pedestrian Accident Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC hope all Mississippi children stay safe and have fun this Halloween.  We urge the parents of young children and older children to be aware of the substantial risks posed to child pedestrians on Halloween. While no one should fear the festive holiday of Halloween, and exercising the appropriate amount of caution will help to ensure your loved ones stay safe.  In the event that the unspeakable happens and your child is injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, the compassionate, dedicated, and zealous pedestrian accident attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC can help.  We will fight to see that your child receives the justice he or she deserves.  Call Barrett Law PLLC today at 1 (601) 790-1505 to schedule your free consultation to see how one of our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys can help you and your family.

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Mississippi Pedestrian Accidents Pose Serious Danger for Children and Elderly

Almost nine people per day lose their lives in auto accidents while walking, jogging or running which amounts to over four thousand people per year according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  Data from the NHTSA also reveals that almost sixty thousand additional pedestrians suffer injuries when they are struck by motor vehicles.  The majority of these accidents resulting in serious injury and death take place in urban areas.  Young children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to serious injury or fatal pedestrian accidents.  With an increasing number of distracted and speeding drivers trying to get to work and trying to pick up kids from school, pedestrian accidents needlessly occur on an ongoing basis.

The elderly actually are not as likely to be hit by cars as young people but are more likely to die from their injuries if involved in an accident.  The diminished capacities of some elderly persons create a higher chance that they can be involved in a pedestrian fatality.  As people age, they experience reduced use of their eyesight, hearing and bodily reflexes.  A person of more advanced age may also move at a slower pace making it more difficult for them to identify potential dangers and to react after recognizing the danger.

Children sometimes play in the streets in certain areas and may lack the maturity and experience to recognize the serious risk of being involved in a pedestrian accident.  Many drivers exceed the speed limit or drive while engaged in distracted driving practices.  The fact that children are smaller and harder to see also makes it easier for a car to hit them when backing up or when turning corners. When a child is hit by the front of the car, he or she will normally be hit by the bumper in the thigh and the hood will strike the child’s torso.  If it is a large vehicle, the child can be hit even higher like in the head and neck area.

Impatient and inattentive drivers on the road present a huge hazard to someone crossing the street especially a child or elderly person.  Drivers who refuse to slow down in areas where children are present or try to simply slow down and accelerate around people in crosswalks often cause serious pedestrian accidents.  It is not uncommon for drivers looking down at their cell phone to fail to yield at intersections, which can be extremely dangerous.  Pedestrian accidents involving children and elderly are often caused by a variety of negligence driving practices by drivers including:

  • Fatigued or drowsy drivers
  • Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Speeding drivers
  • Drivers distracted (i.e. using cell phones and other mobile electronic devices)
  • Aggressive drivers
  • Violations of traffic safety laws (i.e. failing to obey stop signs)

When a car, truck or SUV strikes a child or elderly pedestrian, they can sustain serious injuries including:

  • Spinal cord injury
  • Broken and Fractured bones
  • Head and brain injuries
  • Paralysis

Government entities, such as municipalities may also be responsible for pedestrian accidents where intersections are not properly controlled, streets are poorly lit or other roadway design defect exists.  A municipality that has knowledge of a pattern of collisions including pedestrian accidents may have a responsibility to take reasonable measures to make a road or intersection safe, which may include reducing speed limits, installing proper traffic controls or utilizing speed bumps.  The more crowded our towns and cities get the more vigilant drivers and pedestrians must be to avoid serious pedestrian accidents.

If you or someone you love has suffered serious injury or wrongful death in a pedestrian accident, our Mississippi pedestrian accident attorneys diligently represent those injured in pedestrian accidents throughout the state.  Our experienced Mississippi pedestrian injury lawyers zealously pursue the best possible outcome for our clients.

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