We often think of our teenagers as being at risk of getting hurt or dying in New Jersey and Pennsylvania car accidents – and they are at great risk. However, so too are our younger children. Motor vehicle accident deaths are the leading cause of death for children ages 5-14 and the second leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.*
How Many Kids are Hurt in Car Accidents?
In 2005, more than 1,300 children under the age of 14 were killed and approximately 185,000 children under the age of 14 were injured in motor vehicle accidents.* That means that, on average, 4 families are left grieving the unnecessary loss of a child every day and more than 500 families are attending to a child who has been hurt.
How You Can Protect Your Child From Being Hurt or Killed in a Car Accident
As a driver, there are several things that you can do to prevent your child from getting hurt in a car accident. First, it is imperative that you drive safely. Do not drink and drive or drive while using a cell phone. Stay alert and do your best to avoid an accident. Second, make sure that your child is appropriately restrained according to state law and that the car seat or booster seat that you use is correctly installed in your vehicle. Finally, require that all children ages 12 and under sit in the back seat of your car to avoid airbag injuries during a crash.
Contact a Pennsylvania and New Jersey Car Accident Lawyer if Your Child’s Been Hurt
If your child has been hurt in an accident, then you, as your child’s parent and guardian, should contact an experienced Philadelphia accident attorney to discuss how best to protect your child’s rights. Your family may be entitled to compensation for the medical expenses incurred as a result of the injuries and your child may be entitled to compensation for his or her pain and suffering.
Our South Jersey car accident injury lawyers understand that it is incredibly difficult to watch your child suffer or, worse, to mourn your child’s accidental death. We want to help your family during this difficult time. Please call us at 1-215-642-2335 today for a free consultation.
*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Injury Prevention & Control: Data & Statistics: Ten Leading Causes of Death and Injury, 2007.
*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Injury Center: Child Passenger Safety Fact Sheet
