Sayer Regan Thayer and Flanagan, LLP - 401.849.3040
Toll free: 800.637.8170

Little Kids, Big Accidents: The Ultimate Guide to Child Accidents in Ohio. Chapter 1

Little Kids Big Accidents:

The Ultimate Guide to Child Injuries in Ohio

Chapter 2

STATISTICS SHOW THE IMPACT

ACCIDENTS HAVE ON KIDS




A quick look at statistics involving accidents where we would expect to affect kids - in cars, school buses, on bicycles, on foot, and by dog bites - reveals how common it is for children to be injured.

Motor vehicle accidents

In 2007, motor vehicle accidents in Ohio resulted in injuries to 9,159 children under the age of 15, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Traffic accidents caused the deaths of 39 children under the age of 15, according to statistics compiled by the department.

Using safety seats is the best thing parents can do to safeguard their young children. When the children outgrow safety seats, parents should require their children to wear seatbelts and, preferably, to ride in the back seat.

School bus accidents

Also in 2007, which is the most recent year in which accident statistics from the Department of Public Safety were available at the time this book went to press, 275 passengers of school buses experienced injuries in Ohio.

In many situations, school buses are not equipped with safety belts, which can increase the risk of injury to children.

Pedestrian accidents

Pedestrian accidents in which children are injured or hurt tend to be particularly heart breaking. In many situations, parents or relatives have backed over a child who happens to be playing in a driveway. Young kids can be particularly difficult to see for drivers, especially when the person is driving a vehicle like a minivan or SUV. Unfortunately, we've seen the tragedy families endure in these types of situations.

In 2007, according to the Department of Public Safety, 610 children 15-years-old and younger were injured and 13 were killed as the result of pedestrian accidents in Ohio.

Bicycle accidents

As all parents know, children also face dangers when riding their bicycles. Of the incidents reported in Ohio, 486 children through the age of 15 were injured in bicycle accidents in 2007, according to the Department of Public Safety. Two of those accidents were fatal.

Injuries attributed to bicycle accidents dropped off in 2007 for children over the age of 16, perhaps because children that age don't ride their bikes as much once they reach driving age.

Across the United States, 15 percent of all bicyclists killed and 29 percent of those injured in 2007 were under the age of 16, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That number actually has fallen pretty dramatically compared to statistics compiled for 1997. That year, 31 percent of all bicyclists killed and 44 percent of those injured were under 16 years old.

Those numbers may have dropped because of the increased emphasis on having children wear bicycle helmets. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of a head injury by 85 percent, according to the NHTSA. Brain injuries can be cut by 88 percent through helmet use, the national organization found.

Dog bites

Unfortunately, we often see the devastating consequences that can result from dog bites. We've seen injuries ranging from scars our clients will bear on their faces for the rest of their lives to wounds so deep that muscle and ligaments were exposed. Obviously the bites and resulting medical treatment are painful. But being attacked by a dog also can be tremendously scary, particularly if the victim is a child.

In the United States, approximately 800,000 people a year suffer injuries from dog bites that are significant enough to require medical treatment, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children are particularly vulnerable. Of the dog-bite victims needing medical attention, half are children, the CDC found. Kids between the ages of 5 and 9 years old experienced the most bites, according to the CDC.

Some bites, while painful, require little recovery time. Others, though, cause damage to muscles, broken bones, and serious disfigurement. Victims with serious injuries may face numerous physical therapy sessions and multiple surgeries. Children, particularly those with facial scars, may have to endure a number of scar-revision surgeries as they grow up.

We don't present these numbers in order to frighten you. Rather, we think they show just how vulnerable our kids are. Again, knowledge is power. If we have a better understanding of how our kids get hurt, maybe we can take steps to prevent those injuries. Of course, none of us can completely insulate our children from harm. If you're reading this book because your child was injured or killed, we hope you'll find some answers that might help you during this difficult period.

If you or someone you know has a child who has been injured in an Ohio child accident, you need information. Contact our Ohio child accident injury lawyers immediately for your free copy of Little Kids, Big Accidents by calling 800.637.8170.



We represent Ohio personal injury clients from Toledo, Maumee, Delta, Port Clinton, Bowling Green, McClure, Napoleon, Helena, Fremont, Fostoria, Tiffin, Cygnet, North Baltimore, Ottawa, Findlay, Carey, Bryan, Sandusky, Swanton, Perrysburg, Grand Rapids, Waterville, Liberty Center, Portage, West Millgrove, Woodville, Genoa, Gibsonburg, Findlay, Risingsun, Deshler, Hamler, Oregon, Sylvania, Delta, Weston, Oak Harbor, Port Clinton, Clyde, Lorain, Ottawa Hills, Rossford, Millbury, Walbridge, Holland, Northwood, and Whitehouse. We also serve those who live in Lucas, Wood, Seneca, Lorain, Fulton, Erie, Hancock, and Sandusky Counties. Bookmark and Share
Bookmark and Share

©2010 Charles Boyk Law Offices, LLC, All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission
Attorney website design by Foster Web Marketing, the best attorney website design solution on the Web offering search engine optimization for attorneys, lawyer website design, video for attorneys, and more.
Get SEO Tips from The Attorney Internet Marketing Blog

Served By: A