Car accidents killed more than 100 children under the age of 13 in New York City between 2003 and 2012, TIME.com reports. According to a New York City Department of Health report, this number means that traffic accidents are the leading cause of injury-related death in that age group. Two-thirds of the children killed in auto accidents were pedestrians.
This information comes at a time when the city is in the process of implementing a comprehensive plan called Vision Zero, initiated by Mayor Bill de Blasio to reduce traffic deaths. The Vision Zero program led to reduced speed limits citywide, redesigned intersections and called for more forceful prosecution of traffic violations. In 2014, the city hit a 100-year low in traffic deaths.
Child Injury Deaths
Deaths of young pedestrians have drawn attention to pedestrian safety issues. Safety advocates say traffic accident deaths have risen to epidemic proportions in the city over the last decade or so, and that the situation must change for the better. The Health Department report also listed fire-related injuries, suffocation and falls as some of the other leading killers of young children. Together, these factors account for nearly two-thirds of child injury deaths in the New York City.
Negligence and Compensation
In our experience, it is often the negligence of other parties involved that result in injuries to the children. For example, reckless drivers who do not pay attention to safety or the rules of the road may cause pedestrian accidents involving children. Fire-related injuries in New York City may occur because a property owner or manager may not have ensured that smoke detectors were installed or are in working condition. Despite laws that are in place, a number of property owners also leave windows unguarded, which leads to young children falling out of windows and suffering serious or even fatal injuries. These are just a few examples of negligence that may lead to child injuries.
If you or your child has been injured in a traffic accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Our skilled personal injury lawyers have a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a man who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury cases in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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