Halloween is right around the corner, and that means it’s time to start planning your family’s trick-or-treating route. According to CNN, there are more than 40 million potential trick or treaters between the ages of 5 and 14 years old, so if you plan on taking the children door to door asking for candy, you will be in good company.
Unfortunately, you may also be in the company of drunk, distracted, or otherwise reckless drivers. USA TODAY reports that Halloween is the deadliest day of the entire year for adolescent pedestrians.
Since Halloween is on a Tuesday this year, there may be fewer impaired motorists on the roads, but you still run the risk of getting into a devastating pedestrian accident with a reckless or distracted driver while taking the kids trick or treating.
If you or one of your children sustained debilitating injuries in a collision that someone else caused, contact Miller, Hampton & Hilgendorf for quality legal counsel during every step of the claims process. We will help you pursue justice and compensation from the liable motorist.
A Baton Rouge accident lawyer from our firm will handle the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on treating your injuries. Call 225-343-2205 to schedule a consultation.
How Can You Avoid Pedestrian Accidents While Trick or Treating?
Although the only surefire way to avoid an accident on Halloween is to stay home, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of falling victim to a drunk or distracted motorist. Keep these ten tips in mind when preparing for your trick-or-treating adventure:
- Stick to neighborhoods that have adequate sidewalks, and always use crosswalks when crossing at busy intersections;
- Pay attention to your surroundings at all times, and eliminate distractions like a buzzing phone or an intricate costume that requires adjusting constantly;
- Apply reflective tape to everyone’s costume and treat bag to increase visibility for oncoming motorists;
- Carry a flashlight, but do not shine it in motorists’ eyes;
- Use face paint instead of masks whenever possible so nobody in your group has obstructed vision;
- Stick to neighborhoods that have streetlamps at every corner, but try to finish your route before the sun actually sets;
- Supervise younger children at all times to ensure they do not run out into the road on their way to the next house;
- Give your children glow sticks to wave around so they have added visibility for passing motorists;
- Start trick or treating as soon as the neighborhood is prepared so you can finish early and get the kids home safely before dark; and
- Make sure your older children are trick or treating with a group of friends, and tell them to stick together.
If you or your children sustain injuries on Halloween despite following the above tips, you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. Contact Miller, Hampton & Hilgendorf to determine the best way to proceed. The legal team at our Baton Rouge car wreck law firm will help you pursue the maximum compensation for both medical bills and non-economic damages.
Call 225-343-2205 to schedule a case evaluation. You can learn more about car accident claims in Louisiana by calling or emailing us.
