How You Can Help Keep Your Young Loved Ones Safe From Car Accidents While Playing Outside

We all love the young children in our lives and for that reason, it can be extremely difficult to contemplate the possibility of any harm coming to them, especially while doing something as innocent as playing outside. But tragically, young children can be injured in car accidents while simply participating in childhood pastimes.

The Tampa Bay Times recently reported that a 3-year-old girl was fatally injured in a car accident when she was struck by an SUV while riding her tricycle on a recent evening. Florida Highway Patrol reported that the accident occurred when the 2005 Nissan SUV driven by a 39-year-old man started backing up from a driveway and ended up striking the child. The little girl was flown to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa before she died from her injuries early the next morning.

How Often Are Young Children Injured By Motor Vehicles?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2017 eighteen percent of child motor vehicle crash deaths were pedestrians. Additionally, the Center for Disease Control has asserted that in 2016, one in every five children under the age of 15 who were killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians.

Therefore, while no parent wants to contemplate the fact that a young loved one could be injured while playing outside, these grim statistics indicate that it is a possibility. Therefore, every parent and caregiver of a child should understand the steps that he or she can undertake in order to help keep loved ones safe.

How Can You Help Keep Your Little Ones Safe While Playing Outside?

• Never let your younger children play outside alone.
• Help your children choose more brightly colored clothes that are easy to see from a distance.
• Try to keep outside play to daylight hours. If playing at night, ensure that your children have reflective panels on their clothing.
• Ensure that your older children have a set time to return home and communicate exactly how far from your driveway that they are allowed to venture.
• If your child plans to go visit a friend, ensure that you have the name, phone number, and address of that friend’s parent.
• Emphasize the importance of staying on sidewalks and out off the street as much as possible.
• Discuss an emergency plan in case your child ever runs into trouble while playing outside. This includes everything from teaching them not to talk to strangers to ensuring they have your cell phone number memorized.

Has Your Young Loved One Been Injured?

Understanding where to turn when your young loved one has been injured by a negligent driver can be a difficult and intimidating process. You are likely experiencing emotions that range from anger to frustration over unexpected medical bills, as well as concern for your injured child. The last thing that you should add on your plate is an attempt to negotiate compensation on your own. Contact the experienced Tampa personal injury attorneys of The Pendas Law Firm today for a free initial consultation.

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

Resource:

tampabay.com/pasco/land-o-lakes-girl-3-struck-by-suv-while-riding-tricycle-20190530/

https://www.pendaslaw.com/preventing-hot-car-deaths-this-summer/