You may be surprised to learn that poisoned candy should be the least of your concerns for your child’s Halloween.
What should you be worried about?
Florida personal injury lawyer.
Halloween Accident Statistics Floridians Should Know
Here are some chilling Halloween statistics to consider:
- Twice as many children are killed on Halloween as compared to other days of the year due to pedestrian accidents that involve a vehicle.
- Children are four times as likely to be injured as a pedestrian on Halloween than any other day of the year.
- Teen pedestrians are twice as likely to die as compared to younger children.
- Drunk driving incidents go up by 23 percent on Halloween.
- Non-traffic accidents, such as those occurring in parking lots or driveways, resulted in over 7,000 deaths nationwide in 2016. Nearly 20 percent of those deaths occurred at intersections or road crossings.
- October is the second most likely month for motor vehicle deaths.
Do these statistics frighten you? They should. Luckily, we have some safety tips to share with you for a safer Halloween.
Safety Tips for Halloween in Florida
Practice these safety tips to guard you and your child from injury this Halloween:
- Do not let your child be unsupervised at any point during Halloween night. Children are likely to get hurt when they dart out into the street, so keep your eyes on them at all times.
- Teach your child to never run into the street.
- Plan a route ahead of time, choosing well-lit areas as much as possible. Avoid high traffic areas.
- Stay on sidewalks or paths. If you must walk on the street, walk on the side that faces traffic and stay as far away from traffic as possible.
- Cross the street with your child, making sure to look both ways and follow traffic signals.
- Remind children to watch for cars that are backing up.
- Increase your child’s visibility with light colored clothing, reflective tape, flashlights, or glow sticks.
- Avoid letting your child wear a mask, because it could decrease their field of vision and lead to accidents.
- Remind your older children or teens to be alert and attentive when crossing streets. Tell them to avoid using their smartphones while walking to avoid injuries.
Halloween Safety Tips for Florida Drivers
Practice these tips for your own safety and the safety of others:
- Turn on your headlights earlier for extra visibility.
- Take extra care entering and exiting driveways.
- Slow down and pay attention when navigating busy streets.
- Keep your eyes open for children in dark costumes.
- Watch for children entering streets at unexpected places.
- Take additional caution in crosswalks.
- Don’t drive distracted, fatigued, or under the influence. Call a cab or rideshare service instead.
If Your Child Is Injured This Halloween in Florida
Even if your child has minor injuries, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Not every injury is noticeable immediately, but that doesn’t mean that it won’t end up requiring surgery or months of therapy to overcome when it does make itself apparent.
Getting checked out by a doctor is also incredibly important for legal reasons. If your child is injured due to a negligent driver this Halloween, you may be able to sue for financial compensation. The way medical bills can pile up, this is often a godsend for those who win their cases.
Having documented medical records of the injuries can go a long way towards proving your claim.
About the Author: Since 1994, seasoned litigation and trial lawyer Anthony B. White has helped thousands of accident victims seek damages due to injuries sustained as a result of another party’s negligence. Included in America’s Registry of Outstanding Professionals and selected to the 2012, 2013, and 2014 editions of Florida Super Lawyers, Mr. White specializes in car accidents, insurance disputes, wrongful death, product liability, and medical malpractice cases. He is a longstanding member of the Florida Justice Association and the American Association for Justice and currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Broward County Justice Association.