Understanding and Preventing Hot Car Deaths
Between little kids being the masters of mischief and also having an uncanny Houdini-like ability to disappear quickly, we all know that as adults, we have to keep a close eye on them while they are engaging in their child-like pursuits. However, any situation involving a young child can change quickly and this risk is heightened any time that temperatures begin to increase around this time of year. Whether a parent, guardian, or friend of a young child, no one wants to imagine a child they care for or any other loved one being injured. But more importantly, no one wants to walk outside and discover the tragic results of an accident that could have been avoided and a child’s death that could have been prevented. Therefore, everyone should understand the potential tragedy of hot car deaths.
How Often Do Hot Car Deaths Occur?
Unfortunately, heatstroke is one of the leading causes of non-crash-related fatalities among children according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While an average of 39 children under the age of 15 die each year from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle, recent statistics indicate this number is actually increasing. In 2018, a record number of 53 children died after being left in a hot vehicle and last year 51 young lives were lost in this tragic way. Sadly, these accidents occur because children’s bodies are smaller and can heat up so much faster than the bodies of adults.
Striving to Prevent Hot Car Deaths
The first step in preventing these tragic accidents is understanding why they occur in the first place which involves several factors. An unfortunate reality is that even great parents can forget a child in the back seat or mistakenly believe that he or she can leave a young loved one alone in the car for a period of time. However, children should not be left in a vehicle for any length of time. This is especially true when the weather is hot.
The good news is that these accidents are preventable and there are things you can do to help you avoid leaving a child in a hot car. Steps to undertake include:
- Leave something in the backseat that you will need to check or obtain before you leave your car such as your purse, wallet, or house keys.
- Keep your car locked when you aren’t using it to prevent kids from playing inside.
- Talk to kids who are old enough to understand being stuck in the car that they should honk the horn.
- Always call authorities immediately if you see a child in a hot car.
Has a Child You Love Been Injured or Killed in a Hot Car Accident Due to Someone Else’s Negligence?
An injury to a child you care about is always difficult to face and this is especially true when these injuries occurred because of someone else’s negligence in a way that could have been prevented. As the experienced Jacksonville personal injury attorneys of The Pendas Law Firm, we sympathize with your tragedy and we offer the best legal advice regarding these kinds of accidents. Contact us today so that you can begin obtaining the help you need.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Ocala, Tampa, Bradenton, Fort Myers, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Daytona Beach areas.
Resource:
nhtsa.gov/road-safety/child-safety#topic-heatstroke
