Statistics Reveal Extreme Risks of Teen Pedestrian Accidents in Alaska
No matter how old and grown up they may seem as they get into their teenage years, Alaska parents will always worry about the safety of their children. While your concerns may center on road safety and car accidents as they reach driving age, statistics indicate that you should also pay attention to pedestrian accidents. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that, every hour of the day, a teen is either killed or injured while on foot. Plus, of all children under 15 years old who were killed in traffic collisions, one in five victims were walking at the time.
While parents teach their kids about safety when on foot around motorized vehicle traffic, driver negligence will continue to be a top cause of pedestrian accidents. As such, it is important to discuss your legal remedies and options for recovering compensation with an Anchorage child injury attorney. Some additional statistics and an overview of the legal process may also be helpful.
Additional Data on Pedestrian Accidents Among Young People
Unintentional pedestrian crashes are the fifth leading cause of fatal injuries for children in the US aged 5 to 19 years old, at almost 300 fatalities every year. In addition:
- Teens are at the greatest risk by far, as the death rate for pedestrian accidents is double that of younger kids.
- Of all pedestrian fatalities involving individuals under 19 years old, teens represent half of the victims.
- Injuries are also common in pedestrian accidents affecting younger victims. Up to 10,000 teens are hurt in these incidents annually.
- Approximately 75% of all teen pedestrian deaths occur between 7pm and 7am, and when Alaska is dark for much of the year.
- When asked what they were doing when struck or almost hit, 47%t of teen pedestrian victims said they were listening to music. Around 18% were texting, and another 20% were talking on the phone.
Legal Options Under Alaska Law
Regardless of age, victims of pedestrian accidents may be entitled to obtain compensation for their losses. Depending on the nature and severity of injuries, your teen can seek damages for medical costs, pain and suffering, and other losses. If you were forced to take time off work to care for your child, you might also qualify for lost wages.
Still, age does enter the picture when it comes to the legal process. Parents must act on behalf of their children who, at under 18 years old, are not adults. Your first step is filing an insurance claim, though you may need to go to court if the insurer refuses to settle.
Discuss Your Legal Remedies with an Alaska Child Injuries Lawyer
Though teens are most at risk based upon the statistics, pedestrian accidents can happen to kids of all ages at any time. For more information about your legal remedies, please contact Power & Power Law in Anchorage, AK. We can schedule a free consultation to review your situation and advise you on next steps.