Pedestrian crashes are some of the most dangerous traffic accidents, and the results are often devastating. When the victim is a child, the stakes can be much higher. Pedestrian accidents involving children in Albuquerque are more common than you may realize.
If your child has been injured by a motorist’s negligence, obtaining fair compensation can support their recovery. Consult an experienced Albuquerque pedestrian accident attorney at New Mexico Accident Firm today.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that New Mexico has the highest rate of pedestrian traffic fatalities in the nation, and that lead is significant. A primary cause of accidental deaths among children in Albuquerque and across the country is traffic mishaps, including pedestrian collisions.
There are numerous risk factors associated with pedestrian accidents, and most focus on driver negligence. Our lawyers in Albuquerque could answer any additional questions about pedestrian crashes involving children.
Pedestrians are much harder to see than vehicles are. Because children are the smallest pedestrians, they are even more challenging to spot. When motorists are more interested in reaching their destination on time than in checking for pedestrians, they put vulnerable children at considerable risk.
While intersections are where pedestrians and traffic are most likely to meet, pedestrian accidents are more common outside of intersections. Residential areas where children live, school zones, and school bus stops are particularly risky for pedestrian crashes involving children.
Motorists are required to drive with caution, as children are difficult to see and are unpredictable. This is exactly why speed limits are often significantly reduced in school zones and why motorists must stop far from school buses picking up and dropping off children.
Several pedestrian accidents continue to happen at intersections. Drivers are responsible for ensuring it is safe to proceed before speeding through intersections. The key point is that pedestrians, including children, have the right-of-way at both marked and unmarked intersections throughout the state.
Drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians are legally responsible for the losses they cause. To navigate intersections safely, motorists need to carefully assess the situation before proceeding. When motorists speed, engage in any form of distraction, or are impaired, they greatly increase the risk of injuring a child.
The larger the vehicle, the wider the blind spots motorists experience. Pedestrians often go unnoticed due to blind spots, and children are at much greater risk than adults.
Drivers must check their blind spots before changing lanes, reversing, and moving forward through intersections. Failure to do so can harm a child.
Another dangerous practice is slowing down at stop signs instead of stopping completely. This increases the likelihood of dangerous pedestrian accidents involving children. Children are taught to wait for traffic to halt before crossing, and seeing a motorist slow down can create an impression that the vehicle is about to stop, which may lead to a disaster.
Coming to complete stops as required allows motorists to accurately assess when it is safe to proceed. Motorists who adhere to this practice can help protect children.
Pedestrian accidents involving children in Albuquerque are tragic events that are also preventable. The compassionate lawyers at New Mexico Accident Firm understand the immensity of your child’s losses and could fiercely advocate for a case outcome that honors their rights. Learn more by contacting us today.
