Halloween is traditionally a favorite holiday for kids. Kids of all ages get to dress up as their favorite monster, movie character, or superhero. Groups of kids and families get to walk around the neighborhood, knocking on doors for treats and admiring spooky house decorations. However, who knows what Halloween will look like this year. 

Fewer families may be venturing out for trick-or-treating and fewer houses may be giving out candy. Some are developing workarounds to hand out candy at a distance. However, the greatest danger for kids out on Halloween night will likely remain the higher rate of getting hit by a car. 

Trick-or-Treating and Pedestrian Accidents

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), “Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.” There are a number of factors increasing the risk of injury for kids out on the streets, including: 

• Increased number of kids out after dark,
• Dark costumes without lights or reflectors may be hard to see at night,
• Costumes and masks can limit vision and make it harder for kids to see approaching vehicles, and
• Drivers are attending costume parties and drinking alcohol before driving home. 

Tips for Families on Halloween Night

If your family decides to venture out on Halloween night for trick-or-treating, there are some safety tips you can take to help reduce the risk of a pedestrian accident. 

• Make sure young kids are accompanied by a responsible adult and the adult is not distracted by their phone or alcohol
• Arrange a cut-off time and a time to be home
• Use reflective tape on the costumes, a flashing strobe light, and flashlights to increase visibility

Causes of Pedestrian Injury Accident

Pedestrians can suffer serious injuries when hit by a car, even if the vehicle is traveling very slowly. Unlike passengers or drivers, pedestrians have no safety barriers and a knockdown accident can cause head injury, back injury, neck injury, or broken bones. Children are especially vulnerable to car accident injuries because their lower center of gravity may make them more likely to go down under a vehicle instead of over. 

Common causes of pedestrian accidents include drivers who are distracted by their phones or rideshare drivers looking at their Lyft or Uber app. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as distracted driving, and the risk of drowsy drivers increases through the night and early morning. On some nights, like the 4th of July and Halloween, there may also be more impaired drivers on the road. 

Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Colorado

Pedestrian accidents can cause serious injuries. Head, neck, and back injuries can cause permanent damage and require lifelong care. One of the problems with head, neck, and back injuries is that they may not seem so bad right after the accident. It may take hours or days before the symptoms begin to appear. If there is any risk of a head injury after an accident, seek medical attention. 

Damages After a Pedestrian Accident in Denver

The negligent party who caused the accident is generally liable for damages. In a pedestrian and vehicle accident, if the driver was negligent, then the driver or driver's insurance company should cover the pedestrian's expenses. Negligence in a car accident can be demonstrated through failure to use reasonable care. This could include speeding, driving without headlights on after sunset, or driving while distracted. 

Damages after a car accident generally depend on the severity of the injury. Damages can include:

• Medical expenses,
• Future medical care, 
• Loss of income,
• Loss of earning potential, and
• Pain and suffering.

Child Pedestrian Injury in Denver  

A parent learning that their child was hit by a car can be devastating. After the accident, the parents also have to deal with high costs of medical care, medical bills, and insurance claims. Instead of dealing with the insurance company, contact an attorney to represent your interests so you can focus on your child. 

The attorneys at accidentdenver.com have successfully represented families in Denver, Boulder, Aurora, and throughout Colorado who were victims of auto accidents. Our experienced attorneys will fight to get the maximum compensation available for your child's injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.