Drunk Driving Accidents: Far Too Common

Americans have mostly warmed up to the importance of bike safety. After years and years of terrible accidents, most parents insist their children wear proper safety equipment when riding a bike. Though at one time we were young and rode our bikes without head protection, we don’t let our kids. The rules of the road are drilled into children’s heads from a very young age.

Pedestrian safety is also a big deal for most families. Kids are taught to look both ways before crossing the street and to never cross against the light. Unlike with bike safety, these are the same rules we learned when we were children. These same basic lessons that are so valuable for bike and pedestrian safety combine when dealing with scooters, a common means of transportation for many young people.

Unfortunately, all the training in the world cannot protect a child from a negligent driver. A 13 year old riding his scooter to school on November 12th in Riverside, California was struck and killed when a driver ran a red light. These types of accidents, involving children on scooters or on bikes or even just walking, are far too common. Recent examples include:

• An October 28th accident in St. Paul, Minnesota that left an 11-year-old in a coma
• A 13-year-old boy killed while standing at a bus stop in North Carolina on September 23rd
• An 8-year-old killed by a hit and run driver in Ohio on September 15th, 2014

The driver in Ohio was believed to be texting, and the driver in Riverside, California was under the influence of alcohol. Children are very vulnerable on the roads, especially when too many people still drive distracted or while impaired by drugs or alcohol. If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver, contact a qualified attorney to help you hold the driver accountable.