Quick Safety Tips for a Better Halloween with Fewer Pedestrian Accidents
Halloween is fast becoming a favorite holiday in the San Francisco Bay Area and across the country. Trick-or-treaters of all ages look forward to dressing up in their scariest costumes and collecting their favorite treats from homes in their neighborhoods.
Although trick-or-treating is great fun, it can also be extremely dangerous. Even though Halloween falls on a Sunday this year, many children will remain outside well after dark, some in dark-colored costumes that render them nearly invisible to passing motorists. According to some estimates, twice as many kids are killed by drivers while walking on Halloween than on any other day of the year.
Tips to Stay Safe
Fortunately, parents and trick-or-treaters can follow some simple rules to help them avoid serious pedestrian accidents. While trick-or-treating, children should always:
Cross streets only at corners: pedestrians should always heed traffic and crosswalk signals, as well as look in all directions before attempting to cross.
Stay on sidewalks: if sidewalks are not available, children should walk facing traffic and should stay as far as possible to the side of the road. When possible, children should choose a direct route with the fewest street crossings.
Stay alert and slow down: never dart into the street or attempt to cross from in between parked cars.
Costume safety is also a key concern. When possible, children should wear brightly colored clothing and should never wear a mask that impairs their vision. Parents should also decorate their children’s costumes and bags with reflective tape and should encourage them to carry glow sticks or flashlights when trick-or-treating.
An Attorney Can Help
We wish you and yours a fantastic and safe Halloween. However, if you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact we recommend that you contact a San Francisco personal injury attorney. A lawyer can evaluate your case and help you get the compensation you deserve if you have been harmed by a careless driver. At the very least, a good personal injury attorney should be able to explain to you your options and the pros and cons of your potential claim. If you have a good claim, an experienced personal injury attorney should also be able to describe what you are likely to expect in terms of likely outcome, and the time it will take for the attorney and the courts to process the case. Most personal injury attorney charge only if they obtain a recovery for you and the initial consultation is almost always free. For more information, contact a personal injury attorney.
