There are a lot of things for children and families to do in San Francisco and often, families travel to events and attractions on foot. While these may start out as happy outings, they can sometimes end in tragedy. According to the CDC, in 2016, one in every five children under the age of 15 who were killed in traffic accidents were pedestrians. Below are a few pedestrian safety tips for kids that when followed, can help ensure fewer of these tragedies happen in the future. If they do, parents should speak to a San Francisco child pedestrian accident lawyer for help.
Educate Your ChildBefore children are sent out walking on their own, parents should walk with them regularly. This allows parents to explain the rules for pedestrians, and exhibit proper safety practices, such as looking to ensure a roadway is clear before entering it. Also at this time, parents can teach children to only cross the road inside a crosswalk and to use the sidewalk at all times. If you are not sure how to best prepare your child to walk safely through the city, consider reaching out to a child pedestrian accident attorney in San Francisco for advice.
Think, Look, and ListenChildren must be taught that it is not only important to look for cars and other obstacles, but to also think and listen when out walking. This means children should never wear earbuds or earphones, talk on the phone, or text while they are walking. All of these are distractions that take their focus away from what is going on around them. Children should also be taught that alleyways and driveways are also places vehicles enter and exit, so these should be treated liked roads, as well.
Kids should be taught to listen for vehicles in addition to watching out for them. For example, a child may want to cross a road that is hilly. He or she may not be able to see what is over the crest of the hill, but can likely hear if there is a vehicle approaching. That is another indicator as to whether or not the road is safe to cross.
Develop Skills Before Walking AloneThere are three main skills children need before walking alone in San Francisco. They must be able to choose a safe route, particularly when they will need to cross the street. They must also be able to accurately assess a vehicle’s speed so they can determine whether they have enough time to cross. Lastly, they must be able to identify gaps in traffic, and whether they are safe or unsafe to use to cross.
Was Your Child Hurt? Call Our San Francisco Child Pedestrian Accident LawyersSeeing your child hurt in a traffic accident can be devastating. If your child has been injured as a pedestrian, it is not only difficult for the entire family, it is often costly, too. You may be able to file a claim for the child’s medical expenses and other losses, but you should speak to a child pedestrian accident attorney in San Francisco before you file. At the Brod Law Firm, we fight for the rights of children and their parents and aggressively pursue the compensation they deserve. To speak to one of our attorneys, call today at (800) 427-7020 for a free consultation.