Summer is winding down, and the Quad Cities back-to-school season is in full swing. Along with the excitement of a new school year, safety needs to be a top priority, especially when it comes to getting to and from school. With more children out and about walking or riding bikes in the early mornings and afternoons, now is the perfect time to educate or remind your kids about pedestrian and bike safety.
In this blog, the Quad Cities personal injury lawyers at Winstein, Kavensky, and Cunningham share essential tips for keeping children safe while walking or riding a bike to reduce the risk of preventable injuries as they head back to school.
Key Pedestrian and Bike Safety Tips for Children
Unfortunately, the back-to-school period often sees a spike in accidents involving children, largely due to distracted driving, congested roadways, and children not fully understanding traffic rules. From 2016 to 2020, children (ages 0–19) accounted for 36% of all pedestrian injuries and 41% of bicycle injuries in the United States. Both teaching and reinforcing pedestrian and bike safety before school starts can make a life-saving difference.
- Always use a sidewalk. If there isn’t one, children should walk toward traffic and stay away from the road if there is no sidewalk.
- Kids should not run into the street from between parked cars, nor should they cross the road where there aren’t any designated crosswalks. Always use crosswalks.
- Teach kids to make eye contact with drivers, look both ways, and wait for all vehicles to stop before crossing the street.
- Ensure your children understand what traffic signals mean. Remind them to remain cautious even when crossing at a green light or with a walk signal.
- Remind kids not to use phones, headphones, or other distractions while walking near traffic.
- Ensure your child always wears a helmet that fits snugly and is properly fastened. This is the most important of all the pedestrian and biking safety tips.
- Along with a properly fitted helmet, make sure your child has other essential bicycle safety gear. This includes knee pads, front white lights, rear red reflectors, and additional reflective gear for visibility. Also consider a bell or horn.
- Teach your child to ride in the direction of traffic, stay on the right-hand side of the road, and ride single file when biking.
- Teach kids hand signal turns and stops so drivers and other cyclists can anticipate their movements.
- Just like pedestrians, young cyclists should avoid wearing headphones or using devices while riding.
A Parent and Driver Guide to Pedestrian and Bike Safety
Children learn by watching their parents and other adults. This is why it is essential to practice safe driving, walking, and biking habits:
- Slow down in school zones and residential areas.
- Eliminate distractions like texting.
- Watch carefully for children at crosswalks, intersections, and between parked cars.
- Always yield to pedestrians and cyclists—even if they don’t have the right of way.
- Be cautious when backing out of driveways and when driving in parking lots.
- Demonstrate safe behavior when walking, biking, or driving around children.
- If your child fails to stop at a crosswalk or leaves without a helmet, use it as a teaching opportunity.
Teaching pedestrian and bicycle safety not only protects children from harm, but it also helps them develop independence and a sense of responsibility.
Filing a Claim after a Pedestrian or Bicycle Injury
Despite safe driving, biking, and walking, accidents can and do happen. When your child is injured in a pedestrian or bicycle accident caused by negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. Depending on the details of your claim, you may be entitled to compensation, such as:
Our pedestrian accident lawyers and bicycle accident attorneys at Winstein, Kavensky, and Cunningham are committed to protecting the legal rights of injured children and their families in the Quad Cities. Our legal team is ready to conduct a detailed investigation, prove negligence, and fight for justice and your compensation.
Injured in a Pedestrian or Bike Accident? Contact a Quad Cities Personal Injury Attorney
With the school year underway, now is the time to reinforce pedestrian and bike safety with your children. If your child is hurt in a pedestrian or bicycle accident on their way to or from school, it’s important to understand your legal options. Many parents don’t realize they may have the right to pursue compensation and file an injury claim. Unfortunately, insurance companies often offer quick settlements that don’t reflect the true cost of your child’s injury.
The experienced Quad Cities personal injury attorneys at Winstein, Kavensky, and Cunningham are here to help you take action, protect your child’s rights, and pursue the compensation your family deserves.
To get started on your claim, schedule a free case consultation. Contact us at (309) 794-1515, use our LiveChat feature, or complete our online form today.