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Preventing Child Pedestrian Accidents

According to the federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are responsible for one in every five deaths among children 1-14 years of age in the U.S. Statistics show that pedestrian injuries account for one fourth of those accidents.

Pedestrian injuries are quite often more severe than car-to-car accidents, with a five times higher chance of death for those injured.

In 1998, the most recent year for which comprehensive data is available, 726 child pedestrians were killed. Another 30,000 children were injured in traffic. This does not even include those hit in driveways, parking lots, or other areas.

Though the child pedestrian death rate has dropped during the past few decades in the U.S., experts think this is more likely related to less exposure than a safer environment.

Scientific research has been undertaken to examine risk factors for child pedestrian injuries. Children inadvertently put themselves at risk by darting into the middle of the street without warning, dashing across intersections, and engaging in other activities. Also, they are much more likely to be hit on an urban residential street in the late afternoon or early evening.

According to CDC researchers, young boys are more likely to be injured than girls. Age is a significant factor as well, since it largely determines a child's mobility and autonomy.

As a child grows older, he or she becomes more mobile. The child also has less parental supervision and can travel further from home on his or her own. Children become more experienced in traffic as they develop into preadolescents and young adolescents (ages 10-14 years). Their increasing maturity helps them avoid injuries more effectively than those younger than them.

If your child has been injured in a pedestrian traffic accident, we may be able to help. Contact Michael S. Weisberg by calling 1-800-690-0235. We have 40 years of experience in dealing with car accidents in the Tidewater area.


Michael S. Weisberg, P.C.
112 College Place
Norfolk, VA 23510
Phone: (757) 622-7740
Fax: (757) 533-9223
Toll Free: (800) 690-0235
Email: info@weislaw.com
www.weislaw.com