Injuries and Teen Pedestrians

Everybody is a pedestrian at some point and at some risk for pedestrian injury or fatality. However, many people do not realize that teenagers are at extremely high risk of injury when they are pedestrians. In fact, statistics show that teenagers may be at higher risk for injury than young children may be.

If a vehicle injured your teenager while they were walking, you have legal rights. Make sure to assess the cause of the accident to determine the best way to move forward.

Distracted walking is a common cause of teen pedestrian injuries. Situational awareness is crucial for walking, but many teens talk or text while they go from Point A to Point B. Even if the teenager walked on a crosswalk in a legal manner, he or she may have a delayed reaction to a vehicle driving unsafely. Headphones can also pose a significant danger.

Unsafely crossing the street can also prompt teen injuries. Teenagers still have developing brains. They may not make the best decisions for themselves and could decide to cross at an unsafe moment.

Speeding is another reason why some teens are either hit or nearly hit by vehicles. Drivers may not pay attention to signs designating the area as a school zone, for instance.

Additionally, drivers find seeing in the dark harder to do. Because of this, many teen pedestrians are injured when they walk in the dark, especially without any sort of reflective clothing or light source.

Drunk and distracted driving impact pedestrians too. A driver may swerve onto pedestrian walkways while reading a phone or due to lack of good judgment based on alcohol consumption.

Sometimes the lack of safe crosswalks and sidewalks makes a big difference. Teenagers may have to walk along the side of the road if the city does not provide sidewalks near school, for instance. If a car injured your teenager because of a lack of sidewalks or crosswalks, you may have a strong case against the municipality.

Ultimately, personal injuries can be the fault of one or more parties. You may have a strong case against a driver and a municipality, or perhaps a judge will consider your teenager at partial fault, but you can still often recoup some of your losses from a driver.

Injuries are a common result of teen pedestrian accidents. Unfortunately, many of the possible injuries are quite expensive. Broken bones, fractures, and head trauma require extensive medical care.

In some cases, teenagers have debilitating injuries and disabilities that will impact them for the rest of their lives. Some teens may not be able to ever work in a full-time capacity, severely limiting their earning capacities in adulthood.

In California, a person who is injured has two years to file a lawsuit. For minors, the statute of limitations may differ, so you need to consult with an attorney to understand the extent of the law. For this reason, act quickly so your child's rights are represented.

A lawsuit may be the most important step you can take for your child after a pedestrian injury. A personal injury lawsuit can cover your child's medical bills, loss of earning capacity, disability, and emotional pain and suffering.

Call the Richard D. Hoffman Law Offices today to discuss your case. We have successfully helped clients obtain settlements for their injuries and recoveries. We will help you get through the process in as pain-free a manner as possible. Come in today for a free consultation with an attorney who cares.