Pedestrian Accidents on Halloween

CarlosSantiago
October 28, 2012

(US Law) Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for people of all ages, but especially for children who get to dress up in costumes and go door to door trick-or-treating. And while Halloween is a night of pretend magic and horror, it can turn into a real nightmare if you or your child is injured or even killed in a pedestrian-auto accident. While these accidents can happen any day of the year, they are more likely to occur on Halloween because of the increased presence of individuals, and especially children, near roadways.

Tens of thousands of pedestrians are injured or killed every year in the United States from pedestrian-auto accidents. When irresponsible and negligent motorists fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or speed through neighborhoods – especially on Halloween – your child could be at serious risk of suffering an injury. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, a personal injury lawyer may be able to help you pursue compensation from the party responsible for the accident.

Tips for Pedestrian Safety on Halloween

Recent statistics report that roughly 540 children under the age of 14 are killed every year in pedestrian accidents. On Halloween, the chance of a pedestrian accident death doubles with an average of 2.2 children deaths between the hours of 4 to 10 p.m. on Halloween night. However, you can help keep your child safe by following these tips:

Stay on sidewalks when trick-or-treating and always use crosswalks to cross the street
Make sure your child’s costume fits properly and put reflective tape on it so motorists see your child at night
Make sure your child’s mask does not interfere with his or her vision
Always trick or treat in small groups and with an adult
Give your children flashlights or glow sticks to take with them

Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents still happen. However, by following the above tips on Halloween night, you can reduce the chances of an accident occurring and help your children have a fun and safe Halloween.

Carlos Santiago is an avid legal blogger who is interested in family law, personal injury, and workers’ compensation. He contributes regularly to endertonlaw.com.