Pedestrians are an at-risk group of people. They walk near roadways, cross busy streets, and are not protected against impacts in any way. The fact is that pedestrian injuries are the leading cause of death and disabilities among youth and children within the country. It's not as common for a child to get hurt in an accident as it used to be, but the injuries that take place are usually severe and deaths are still a possibility.
Children are at a high risk of being injured because they still aren't familiar with traffic laws and how to cope with challenges that come with crossing where traffic is present. Even when a child does know how to cross a street safely, he or she may not know what to do if the driver actually violates the law; many children will assume that they can cross safely if the crosswalk signals say so.
It's most common for children to be hurt in September and October, May and June. These are times of the year when the weather is still good, school is in session, and more children are actively crossing the streets. Areas of heavy traffic are more likely to cause problems where children are struck, and areas with parked cars or parks are potentially deadly due to their draw.
Drivers who approach school zones, parks, or residential areas should know to follow safety laws to the letter. If they don't take time to slow down and speed through a red light or crosswalk, a child could be the one to suffer the consequences. If that's your child, then you may need to work with your lawyer to get the compensation you need in accordance with Ontario's laws. Our website has more information on the next steps to take.
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