Youth are at risk of severe injury when they share the road with drivers
A grant from the National Road Safety Foundation could help reduce the number of pedestrian and bicycling deaths and injuries involving children.
The $25,000 grant awarded to Watch for Me CT (a partnership between the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Children’s Injury Prevention Center) will help develop a program to teach bicycle and pedestrian safety, according to a news release from the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
The funding will go toward the training of young people to teach safety to their peers and reduce accidents in Connecticut. The youth who will be trained are part of an initiative run by the Hartford Yard Goats, a minor league baseball affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.
How serious are bicycle and pedestrian accidents?
According to the news release, about 1,500 pedestrians and 550 bicyclists are hit by drivers in Connecticut each year. In addition, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for children.
Negligent drivers are often to blame
The following are some of the common causes of accidents involving motor vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians:
- Speeding drivers: Drivers who go too fast have less time to react to cyclists and people on foot who may be trying to cross the street. Remember that we all have a responsibility to share the road, and speeding greatly increases the odds of a car accident.
- Aggressive drivers: Some drivers see bicycles and pedestrians using the road as a nuisance and may take aggressive risks. They may not leave enough space between their car and the person on bike or on foot. Or they may not stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
- Drunk or impaired drivers: A driver who has consumed alcohol or used drugs may drive recklessly and have a slower reaction time. Cyclists and pedestrians are particularly vulnerable to serious injury or death in such accidents because they do not have the same protection as someone in an enclosed vehicle.
- Distracted drivers: Too often, drivers are not paying attention to the road. They might be distracted by a cell phone or something else.
If you were hit by a car, contact a personal injury attorney
Accidents can be devastating, particularly when someone is injured because of a driver’s negligence. If you were injured or a loved one died in an accident caused by someone else, you have the right to seek compensation for your losses (e.g., medical bills, lost income, replacement services, pain and suffering, etc.).
To learn more about your legal rights and options, talk to an experienced attorney in Connecticut. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli.
We have experience. We put resources and knowledge to work for our clients. Insurance companies might reach out to ask questions. The person on the other end of the phone might sound like a friend—but beware. They are looking for information to reduce your compensation or even deny your claim.
Let a Connecticut attorney work for you and help you pursue the compensation you need after an accident. Don’t delay. Contact us today for a free consultation.
We are contingency fee lawyers, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Tell them you mean business!