Why Do Vehicle Accidents Harm So Many Children?

By Bailey & Greer, PLLC | March 1, 2023

Why Do Vehicle Accidents Harm So Many Children?As adults, we all know how fragile children can be. We hold them when they’re little as if they were glass, and we continue to care for them as they grow up and explore the world. But when some things are out of our control, it can be difficult to keep them under your protection. There are many neglectful vehicle operators out there; unfortunately, it’s led to many children in our nation being affected. You may do all you can to shield your child, but the irresponsibility of those around us may greatly affect our families.

Unsurprisingly, vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death of children under the age of 12 in America. These deaths are practically entirely preventable; however, other drivers’ neglectful actions take too many lives and cause too many injuries. In 2020, 607 child passengers were killed in motor vehicle accidents, and 63,000 more were injured. While it is up to the parents to ensure that their children are buckled in, 38% were not safely restrained.

What the data shows: why vehicle accidents are the leading cause of child fatalities

Being in a car with a driver that’s intoxicated is dangerous to all, but it can be even more grave for children who sometimes do not have much of a voice that they can use against adults. In 2020, 24% of children’s deaths in vehicles involved an alcohol-impaired driver. There is also an association between driver alcohol use and children being unrestrained in the car – the prevalence being 2.2 times higher if the driver was drinking. An intoxicated driver has less reaction time, decreased motor skills, and impaired coordination. An accident caused by an inebriated operator can lead to very serious outcomes.

We may think that the majority of vehicle accidents among children tend to occur in heavily-populated cities, but the contrary is true. Children in rural areas are at higher risk of being injured or killed in vehicle crashes, at 4.5 per 100,000 children as compared to 0.9 in urban areas. It was also determined that most children were injured or killed by vehicles on Saturdays (17%) and Sundays (18%).

Most accidents affecting children occurred between 3 PM and 6 PM, followed by between 6 PM and 9 PM. This shows a possible correlation between busy, rushed adults going home from work or picking up their children from school and car accidents involving children. School zone limits and speed limits are in place for a reason, but it doesn’t mean everyone will be responsible enough to obey them. Some drivers may choose to ignore school zones’ speed restrictions, while others may be distracted by their phones.

Backovers are much more common than they should be and are oftentimes easily avoidable. Every WEEK, at least 50 children are backed over by vehicles, especially one-year-olds. More than 60% of the accidents involved bigger vehicles, like SUVs and trucks. Especially in rural areas and neighborhoods, drivers must be vigilant for children that may be walking or playing nearby. Backing over a young child can easily be fatal since their bodies are much smaller and cannot withstand the strength and weight of even the smallest car.

What injuries do car accidents cause?

There are many different types of injuries that a young child can sustain from a vehicle accident. Head and neck injuries are among the most dangerous. Even when not in a high-speed collision, children can suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and damage to the spinal cord. Car accidents are the leading cause of TBI-related deaths in children and young adults.

TBIs, even “mild” ones (concussions), are very serious and occur when the brain crashes against the sides of the skull. They can also happen when the brain swells and pushes on the skull. The child may have received a forceful blow to the head or an item may have penetrated the skull. There are many different ways in which a child can receive a TBI during a car accident, especially since their heads are much more fragile than an adult’s.

Children can also receive broken bones, road rash, and damage to internal organs. Besides the physical injuries that children can sustain, they are more prone to emotional distress and post-trauma stress disorder (PTSD). They are also more susceptible to medical trauma following any kind of treatment they may need after a car accident. Their trauma responses can affect their daily well-being and social lives. They may become reclusive and experience physiological reactions to anything that may cause them to re-experience the accident in their little minds. Every situation and child is different, but there is no doubt that a car accident can leave behind a long-lasting effect.

Child safety laws in Arkansas

In the state of Arkansas, there are several safety laws in place to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities. For instance, no driver is to use any cell phone while driving in a school zone – it’s a primary offense. This is a huge distraction and can easily lead to an accident involving a child. No driver is allowed to text while driving, no matter the age or the area they’re in. All those over the age of 6 are required to wear a seatbelt, while younger ones are required to be in the appropriate car seats or booster seats.
A child being injured is a parent’s worst nightmare. While some things are out of our control, we can control opening a case against irresponsible vehicle operators that hurt your child. If your child is currently suffering because of a vehicle accident, contact one of our experienced attorneys today. The team at Bailey & Greer is full of seasoned lawyers that are ready to help you and your child receive the compensation that you deserve. Little Rock residents, do not hesitate to call our office, or submit our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

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Posted in Car Accident