Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in the United States. Halloween is particularly enjoyed by children, including kids who like to venture out and about to trick-or-treat. If you’re the parents of children who plan on trick-or-treating for Halloween 2019, there are some scary statistics, a set of frightening facts, that you will want to bear in mind as you get your kids ready for the big night. Indeed, about 41 million children will be on the sidewalks (and streets) on Halloween trick-or-treating.
Children and Halloween Car Accidents
One of the most alarming statistics associated with children and Halloween involves car accidents. Specifically, frightening facts exist regarding children being injured and killed in pedestrian accidents with automobiles on Halloween.
Twice as many children are run over and killed by automobiles on Halloween than is the case during the rest of the year. Approximately 4,000 children are injured in all types of Halloween-related accidents annually, including being hit by automobiles.
Automobile Drivers, Alcohol, and Injured Children
A truly startling statistic centers on the number of automobile drivers who are under the influence of alcohol in vehicle-pedestrian accidents involving children. 52 percent of all Halloween fatalities involving children were caused by drivers operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol.
Halloween certainly is a favored day for kids. However, many adults attend Halloween parties, and 86 percent of those events feature alcohol. Thus, at the same time, children are out and about trick-or-treating, there are intoxicated adults behind the wheels of automobiles heading from party to party or trying to get home after celebrating with booze and brew.
Gaps in Keeping Kids Safe
Many parents are at the top of their games when it comes to getting their children ready for trick-or-treating. With that said, every year some parents fail to do what they really probably should to get their kids ready for the big night. Some of the more notable Halloween kid-prep shortcomings include:
- 12 percent of children under the age of six are permitted to trick-or-treat alone (which is not recommended)
- 70 percent of parents don’t accompany their children when trick-or-treating
- 65 percent of parents do not discuss safe Halloween practices with their children
- 82 percent of parents fail to put reflective tape or use other visibility aids for their children
- 63 percent of children do not carry flashlights when trick-or-treating
A Driver’s Duty of Reasonable Care
A motorist on the road on Halloween has a legal obligation to exercise the level of care a reasonable, prudent driver would use under the same general set of circumstances. In other words, a person driving on Halloween has a duty of reasonable care to be vigilant about children trick-or-treating. For example, a reasonable and prudent driver would slow down when motoring through a neighborhood and take other steps to accommodate the fact that children will be going door-to-door in costumes seeking treats.
Justice, Your Children, and Halloween Injuries
If the virtually unthinkable happens and your child is injured on Halloween by a motorist, there are some steps that you can take to protect the rights of your child and obtain justice. The first step is to seek experienced legal assistance. The legal team at The Doan Law Firm has significant experience in representing families of children who were injured in automobile accidents and other incidents because of the negligence of someone else. This includes children who were injured, even fatally, in Halloween car accidents.
You can reach our firm any time of the day or night, 365 days a year including all holidays – including Halloween. Our Halloween accident hotline at (800) 349-0000 can connect with an attorney and arrange an initial consultation right now or at any time that is convenient for you.
We are a national law practice with offices located from coast to coast across the United States. We can meet with you at any of our offices or schedule a virtual consultation with you online. There is never a charge for an initial consultation with The Doan Law Firm.
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