Cooling Down the Number of Summertime Hot Car Deaths

Summer is here and temperatures are rising. Unfortunately, that also means that the risk of one of the most heartbreaking preventable tragedies is also rising – hot car deaths and the young children who are most often affected.

NBC-2 News has reported that a baby was found dead inside a hot car in Clewiston at the end of May. Local police officers and emergency medical services were reportedly called to the home where they found the infant unresponsive. First responders were unable to determine how long the baby had been in the car but sadly, the child had already perished by the time help arrived. While criminal charges have not been filed at this time, the baby’s death remains under the investigation of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at the request of local police. Neighbors reportedly told authorities that the baby was left in the car all day.

Understanding and Reducing the Risk of Hot Car Deaths

With temperatures that remain much warmer than many other parts of the country throughout the year, it is imperative that anyone who resides in the Sunshine State understands how these tragedies occur, especially as we approach the warmest months. Statistics indicate that over half of the time, hot car deaths happen because a child is simply forgotten by his or her caretaker. These tragedies can also occur because he or she:

• Gains access individually. Kids have an uncanny ability to make their way into places they aren’t supposed to be in. Unfortunately, a hot car death can occur when a child inadvertently enters a vehicle on their own and becomes trapped inside.
  • To combat this – keep keys high out of the reach of little hands and always lock your car when you park.
• Is knowingly left in the car by a caregiver. The fact that a caregiver knows a child is inside a vehicle does not mean that he or she is intending to harm the child – it can just mean good judgment isn’t being exercised. Leaving a little one in the car for what you think is a quick trip or assuming that parking under a tree eliminates heat risks are examples of this.
  • To combat this – always take little ones out of the car when you pull over.
• Is seen by a bystander who doesn’t report it. Imagine how different the outcome of the Clewiston tragedy could’ve been had a neighbor simply called 9-1-1 when they noticed the child in the car.
  • To combat this – always call authorities immediately if you see a child alone in a car.

Get Legal Help You Can Depend On

Whether you’re a parent, relative, friend or caregiver, learning that a child you care for has become injured or been killed in a hot car accident is something no one wants to experience. But unfortunately, all the safety tips in the world can’t stop every incident of an adult’s negligence leading to a tragedy involving a child that the adult has been entrusted to care for. As the West Palm Beach personal injury attorneys of The Pendas Law Firm, you can depend on us during this difficult and delicate time to fight for your rights and ensure that you are compensated appropriately for your child’s personal injuries or the tragic loss of your little one. Contact us for assistance today.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Ocala, Tampa, Bradenton, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Daytona Beach areas.

Resource:

nbc-2.com/story/42184838/child-dies-in-car-in-clewiston-fdle-investigating

https://www.pendaslaw.com/legal-options-for-injured-pedestrians/