Driveway Accidents
No one thinks their child will be harmed while playing in their own yard or that of a neighborhood friend. But tragically, accidents in driveways occur all too often. A Charles County 9-year-old was killed by a vehicle backing out of the driveway recently, becoming another number in the list of catastrophic deadly driveway statistics.
Dangers Abound
Toddlers and children are at particular risk in driveways and parking lots because they are exposed to motor vehicles where adults are often unaware of children’s presence. The number of accidents in these locations nationwide tops 9,000 every year —and it is friends and relatives of the child who are responsible for the incidents in more cases than you’d imagine. With roughly 50 accidents a week, two of which result in a fatality, isn’t it time to focus more on prevention? So often, these devastating incidents are utterly preventable.
Kids Don’t Prioritize Safety
The truth is that when kids are focused on having fun, exploring their world, and generally are unaware of impending dangers—and that’s especially true for preschoolers, kindergarteners and very young kids. Additionally, these little ones are exactly the kids that are sometimes difficult to see in the car’s mirrors or over the car’s hood. Sure, modern backup cameras are a huge help, but they alone simply cannot do the job of keeping kids safe. It’s ultimately up to adults to prioritize kids’ safety by taking the steps needed to be unequivocally certain that the area is free of risk before driving. Simple things like having a child dash into the driveway to chase a ball or giving one last hug good-bye can turn into a catastrophic event. Regardless how rushed one may be feeling, it’s vital that drivers are completely focused on their surroundings when behind the wheel, especially in driveways and parking lots.
Safety Advice
It takes only a few seconds to save a life. Tips for preventing the kinds of accidents described here include:
- Taking the time to completely circle your parked vehicle before getting in to drive so you can be sure there are no children in the vicinity;
- Teaching your own kids that they should wait in a visible, safe spot when being picked up.
- Escorting young children in and out of vehicles to make sure they’re out of the way.
- Holding hands with children on sidewalks where there are driveways and in parking lots.
- Not allowing kids to play in your own or other’s driveways; identifying instead safe play areas that won’t be subject to moving vehicles.
- Instructing children to keep toys in locations other than the driveway.
When You Need a Personal Injury Attorney
If your child was injured due to the negligence of another person, the devastation is incalculable. At The Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes we are here to help you collect damages to address the physical, emotional, and mental costs. To discuss, schedule a confidential consultation with our Baltimore personal injury lawyers today.
Source:
somdnews.com/independent/news/local/9-year-old-child-killed-by-vehicle-in-driveway-of-charles-home/article_63ac7259-c97f-53bd-a430-a651eb856671.html
