Sadly, far too many of us have suffered the unspeakable tragedy of a child killed in a car wreck. Vehicle collisions are the number one killer of children across the United States.
How Many Children Lose Their Lives in Collisions?
Shockingly, 11 children are killed on average each week in car accidents, according to a study from the New York Times.
According to the study, 2,885 children under the age of 15 lost their lives in car accidents nationwide from 2010 to 2014. That doesn’t include children who were struck by vehicles in pedestrian accidents, riding in a trailer or non-enclosed cargo area, or involved in bicycle or motorcycle collisions.
This car wreck study was conducted right here in Texas. Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and the Women’s Hospital in Boston collaborated on the study. Their findings were first published in the Journal of Pediatrics.
The primary source of data for the study was the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Rural Roads Are Most Dangerous
Texas is most certainly an urban state with large cities, including Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio, and has over 27 million residents. However, it’s also an extremely large and sprawling state with thousands of miles of rural roads. It may be surprising to know that rural roads are the most dangerous for young children.
Nearly two-thirds of all child roadway fatalities across the country take place on rural roads, according to the Federal Highway Administration.
You may wonder what makes rural roads so dangerous. Well, factors include increased distances to trauma centers, insufficient lighting on rural roads, and the fact that rural drivers often drive much faster than those in the city, who often have little choice but to slow down in heavy traffic.
Restraints Are Vital for Child Safety
The study also found that 13 percent of children killed in car wrecks were passengers in vehicles driven by someone who was intoxicated. However, the most crucial factor found in the study was that restraints were critical in preventing the sudden death of a child in a car crash.
Essentially, this isn’t novel information. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have repeatedly claimed that securing children in car seats can significantly lower the risk of death by nearly 71 percent for infants 1 year or younger and by 54 percent for children ages 1 to 4.
West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD urges everyone to ensure that their children are protected on Houston roadways. While collisions are the leading cause of death for children, most of these deaths are preventable.
Texas Car Accidents
Across the state, there were 17,535 people who suffered serious injuries in the aftermath of a car crash in 2017. Statistics show that a Texas resident was killed every 2 hours and 21 minutes, with 3,727 reported roadway fatalities in 2017. These crashes can leave victims with life-changing injuries who are often unable to return to work and support themselves, let alone deal with expensive medical bills. Dealing with the aftermath of a devastating accident can be difficult on your own.
West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD has the knowledge and experience to make sure your case is treated fairly and that the liable party is held responsible. When you have been injured in an accident, your focus should be on healing yourself physically, emotionally and mentally so you can return to your normal life. Contact our offices today at 713-840-7200 to discuss your case with a qualified Houston personal injury lawyer.
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