Pedestrian Accident Injuries Involving Children: Your Rights as a Parent

 Posted on May 08,2023 in Pedestrian Accidents

As the weather warms up, more and more children will ride their bicycles, walk to friends’ houses, and play outside. Unfortunately, this means that there is an increased chance of an accident involving a child.Motorists have an ethical responsibility and a legal obligation to follow traffic laws and be watchful for child pedestrians. This is especially important in school zones, parks, and other places where children play. Pedestrian and bicycle accidents involving children can be catastrophic, often leaving a child with life-long medical complications. Tragically, many pedestrian accidents involving children are fatal.

If your child was hurt in a pedestrian accident or bicycle accident, you may be able to pursue justice on behalf of your child through a personal injury claim. Read on to learn more.

Illinois Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Laws

Illinois law allows parents to take legal action on behalf of an injured or deceased child if that child's injury or death was caused by another party's negligence or wrongdoing. Personal injury claims can be used to recover financial compensation for medical expenses and other financial losses, as well as compensation for non-financial harm, including the child's pain and suffering.

Wrongful death claims are similar to personal injury claims, but these claims are brought on a deceased person's behalf. All the money in the world cannot make up for the death of an innocent child. However, wrongful death claims are often the best legal avenue for a parent to hold a negligent driver accountable for their tragic loss. Wrongful death claims can also be used to relieve the financial burden created by funeral and burial expenses, medical expenses during the child's last days, and other costs.

Holding Dangerous Drivers Accountable

Statistics show that there has been a marked increase in injuries and deaths caused by negligent driving in the past few years. Distracted driving is an especially great cause for concern, and many experts believe that the number of severe and fatal car accidents caused by distracted driving is much greater than previously estimated.

It only takes a few seconds of inattention to strike a child who is walking alongside the road or riding their bicycle. However, the consequences for the child and his or her family last a lifetime.

Contact Our Will County Child Injury Lawyer

At Flaherty Law, LLC, we stand up for the rights of the injured, seeking to hold the at-fault party fully accountable for their actions. If your child was injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, bicycle accident, or car accident, we can help you take legal action and pursue justice on behalf of your child.

Plainfield personal injury attorney Daniel R. Flaherty is an experienced personal injury attorney with wide-reaching experience in personal injury and wrongful death law. Call Flaherty Law, LLC at 815-577-7500 to set up a free initial consultation to learn how we can help you.

Source:

https://www.kbb.com/car-news/up-distracted-driving-deaths-drunk-driving-deaths-unbelted-driving-deaths-cyclist-deaths/

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zendrive-study-reveals-driver-phone-use-is-100-times-worse-than-previous-estimates-300633399.html