Halloween Means More Car Accidents
Halloween Means More Car Accidents
Due to a combination of increased pedestrian traffic, alcohol use and night-time festivities, serious car accidents involving pedestrians are much more likely to occur on Halloween than other days. This leads to more personal injury claims that typically involve serious injuries, as the pedestrian, usually a child, is very vulnerable when struck by a vehicle. An auto accident attorney who deals with children’s injuries, or adult injuries, can be very helpful in this circumstance.
According to the NHTSA’s most recent statistics on Halloween:
- 50% of pedestrians die from a drunk driving accident (33% on an average day).
- 28% of crash victim fatalities are pedestrians (14% on an average day).
- Approximately 20% of pedestrian fatalities on Halloween involve a drunk driver.
** Over 50% of pedestrian fatalities occur between 4pm and midnight.
The best advice applies to the drivers and the pedestrians: Be aware of what’s around you, particularly when going through intersections or crossing the street. Pedestrians should cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross. Put electronic devices down and keep heads up (distracted driving, including texting are leading causes of accident injuries) and walk, don’t run, across the street.
Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them. Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings. Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars. It should be safer if children Trick or Treat with an adult, wear bright colors and avoid masks that obscure vision. If a glow stick or flashlight is used, or if costumes have reflective tape or stickers, it’s better. You can get more safety tips by double clicking HERE.
Hopefully, your Halloweens will be filled with fun, laughter and lots of treats, instead of bad news involving a car accident with personal injury. If you or your child are involved in an auto accident, or if you get injured on someone’s property due to tripping on hazards that are not obvious or well lit, tend to your child’s injuries first, then consider taking pictures, getting names, addresses, phone numbers and insurance information that might be helpful when it comes time to resolve a personal injury claim. We have helped lots of Maine families with children’s injuries.
Do not let your rights be trampled on by the insurance company if you are a pedestrian in an auto accident or if hurt on someone else’s property. Contact Marchese Injury Law – we will fight to make it right and to get you the best resolution. Call nationwide Toll Free at (207) 775-6042, or send an email by linking to our web site HERE. At Marchese Injury Law, P.A. you get an experienced, successful personal injury lawyer who knows the law and how to deal with your claim. Call for information and to see if you have a case…we provide a free initial consultation, and there is no fee until we recover money for you! Have fun on Halloween…and stay safe!
