Keep Kids Safe
There is nothing worse than sending children off to school, only to discover that they will be spending an extended length of time in the hospital–or may never come home again at all—due to a traffic accident that occurred on the way to or from school. It’s every parent’s nightmare—one that too many Maryland families have suffered.
Accidents in Maryland News
- A Clarksburg child was struck by a car just outside Rocky Hill Middle School one morning just before school started.
- Four children—one a teen—were injured by a hit-and-run vehicle while waiting on the sidewalk for the school bus in La Plata. A nine-year-old and a four-year-old were both flown to a children’s hospital, another nine-year old was taken to a local hospital, and the seventeen-year-year old was treated on scene.
- A Cecil County crossing guard who pushed a child out of danger was hit by a car while assisting a child across the street in a crosswalk. She was hospitalized for her injuries.
- A seven-year old who was disembarking from the school bus in Montgomery County was hit by a car after the driver ignored the bus’s flashing red lights and extended stop sign. The child was hospitalized with serious injuries.
Drivers Owe it to Kids to be Safe
Motorists always have an obligation to be on the lookout for pedestrians and bicyclists every time they get in the car, especially near school zones. During the school year there are more kids out and about going to and from school and it’s important for everyone to be aware and make smart driving decisions:
- Be prepared for kids to dart out into the road completely unaware of the dangers.
- Always stop when approaching or following a school bus with flashing red lights and /or an extended stop sign;
- Watch for children near schools, bus stops, school busses, and in neighborhoods;
- Anticipate that kids will make unpredictable moves while bicycling or walking;
- Adhere to posted speed limits in school zones;
- Be extra careful when changing lanes, passing, or making U-turns;
- Do not block crosswalks;
- Obey crossing guard signals;
- Avoid distractions such from your phone, kids, pets, etc.;
- Slow down when visibility is limited due to weather, traffic, or other issues.
When Kids are Harmed in Accidents
Children face risks every time they leave the house, and, unfortunately, sometimes that means serious injuries or even death following a traffic accident. If such an accident was the result of recklessness or negligence on the part of the driver, you may be entitled to damages to address medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. If your child has suffered the aftermath of this type of accident, the experienced, compassionate Baltimore personal injury attorneys at The Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes can help. Schedule a confidential consultation in our office today.
