If you’re still recovering from injuries you suffered in a car crash, you likely are still experiencing some anxiety when you drive. Driving after dark, in unfamiliar areas or in traffic may be particularly difficult — depending on what the circumstances of your accident were.
One day of the year that can be more dangerous than most for both drivers and pedestrians is Halloween. Most serious collisions involving trick-or-treaters occur between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. Children — particularly younger ones — often start trick-or-treating about the time that many people are driving home from work.
With a few extra precautions (which you should be taking any time you’re behind the wheel), you can drive safely home or to and from your destination on Halloween.
- Don’t pass stopped vehicles. Someone might be dropping children off. Unfortunately, drivers don’t always pull over to a safe area to do that.
- Keep an eye out for kids running into the street. Children don’t always use crosswalks or intersections. That’s how most child pedestrian fatalities occur.
- Be careful near parked cars. Kids often dart out suddenly from in front or back of them.
- Avoid distractions in the car. This is no time to take your mind or eyes off the road for even a second. Save your phone calls or other communications (even hands-free ones) until later.
If you’re a parent, you can help ensure that your kids will be safe while they’re trick-or-treating from drivers who aren’t sufficiently cautious.
- Know where to cross the street. Only cross at crosswalks, intersections or corners. If you aren’t sure they’ll remember that, don’t let them go out unsupervised.
- Make sure your kids can be seen. Put reflective tape on their costumes, shoes and anything they are carrying. If you’re going with them, carry a flashlight and/or glow stick.
If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by a negligent, reckless or impaired driver, it’s essential to get the compensation you need to deal with medical treatment, physical therapy, lost wages and other expenses and damages. An experienced attorney can help you do that.
