- Teach kids at an early age to look left, right and left again before crossing the street. Then remind them to continue looking until safely across.
- It’s always best to walk on sidewalks or paths and cross at street corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.
- Teach kids to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.
- Children under 10 need to cross the street with an adult. Every child is different, but developmentally, most kids are unable to judge the speed and distance of oncoming cars until age 10.
- Encourage kids to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up.
- Teach kids not to run or dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
- If kids are walking when it’s dark out, teach them to be especially alert and make sure they are visible to drivers. Have them wear light- or brightly-colored clothing and reflective gear.
Take Action Against Distraction
- Teach kids to put phones, headphones and devices down when crossing the street. It is particularly important to reinforce the message with teenagers.
- Pull headphones down or turn off the volume before crossing the street.
- Be aware of others who may be distracted and speak up when you see someone who is in danger.
- If kids need to use a cell phone, teach them to stop walking and find a safe area to talk.
Types of Injuries in accidents involving pedestrians
Pedestrians have no protection from injury in a collision with a motor vehicle, and the injuries they suffer are often serious, catastrophic or even fatal. Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Spinal cord injury.
- Limb loss and traumatic amputation.
- Internal injuries.
- Disfigurement.
- Fractures, such as a broken leg, arm, rib or pelvis.
- Neck and back injuries.
- Sprained or torn ligaments.
- Contusions, lacerations and abrasions.
In the unfortunate event of an accident between a pedestrian and a motor vehicle, pedestrians will suffer severe bodily injury or even death. If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Dallas or other Texas city, Board Certified Attorney Aaron A. Herbert can help. The personal injury accident lawyers at the Law Firm of Aaron A. Herbert have helped injured pedestrians or surviving family members hold negligent parties accountable for recklessness or wrongdoing. Please do not wait to contact us if you or someone you care about has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Texas. There is a specific amount of time in which you can take legal action and you do not want to forfeit your rights by waiting too long to speak with a lawyer. Contact Us today for a free, confidential consultation.