As a parent and occasional pedestrian, you understand the importance of safety. You likely also know that, despite best efforts, serious accidents that lead to injuries can still occur. Still, you want to do your part to keep yourself and your kids as safe as possible, especially while on foot.
Pedestrian accidents can quickly lead to serious or even fatal injuries because individuals who are walking have little to no protection against vehicles. You certainly do not want such outcomes to impact your children, so you may find it useful to take the time to teach them safety tips for walking near roads.
Safe practices
Because your children watch you and learn by example, you can help them and yourself stay safe by practicing these safety tips as well. As you teach your children, you may want to consider the following tips:
- Teach them to look left, right and left again before heading across a street.
- Tell them to walk at a safe pace and not to run into the street.
- Always cross the street with your children or have another adult do so if the kids are under 10 years old.
- Remind kids to watch out for vehicles that may be turning or backing up.
- Have the children make eye contact with drivers before they attempt to cross the street to make sure the drivers see them.
- Teach kids that crossing the street while listening to music, texting, using a cell phone or other device, and generally being distracted presents a serious danger.
Of course, your safe practices do not end as a pedestrian. If you also drive a vehicle, you can continue to act as a good role model for your children by remembering to avoid distractions while behind the wheel and staying on the lookout for pedestrians.
In the event of an accident
If you or your children end up injured as pedestrians, you may feel a sense of panic. However, you should seek medical attention for yourself or your children as soon as possible after such an accident. Unfortunately, depending on the nature of the injuries, a pedestrian accident could have lasting impacts on your family.
If the driver of a vehicle is considered at fault for the incident, you may have reason to pursue legal action. A personal injury claim against that person could help you seek compensation for injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages permitted under Texas state law.