Avoiding Halloween Injuries in San Diego

Fatal Car Accidents on Halloween

Last year around this time, the Associated Press reported on a severe auto accident in California that resulted in the deaths of three trick-or-treaters. The children who suffered fatal injuries in the pedestrian accident were 13-year-old girls, and two of them were twin sisters. The collision occurred in Santa Ana, and the hit-and-run driver fled the scene and later abandoned the SUV that struck the trick-or-treaters. The girls were struck while attempting to cross the road in a crosswalk.

While it may be impossible to avoid certain car accidents, it is possible to take preventive steps, particularly on Halloween. The article about the deadly hit-and-run accident last year noted that the young girls who were killed had been “wearing costumes with black leggings and dark clothing.”

It is difficult to know if this tragedy could have been prevented if the driver had been able to see the girls more clearly as they crossed in the crosswalk. At the same time, however, it is important to remember that the trick-or-treaters were following the rules for crossing the street: always cross at a crosswalk. Around the same time in Irvine, California, a man who had been trick-or-treating with his four-year-old son was also struck and killed by a car.

Preventing Accidents and Injuries During Halloween Celebrations

What can we do to prevent serious accidents from occurring in San Diego on Halloween? Car accidents involving pedestrians are just one source of serious injury that can happen on this holiday. According to a fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), both trick-or-treaters and homeowners can take steps to make Halloween a safer holiday. If you are planning to go trick-or-treating with your child or are allowing your older teen to go trick-or-treating with friends, pay attention to the following safety tips:

Choose Halloween costumes that are light or brightly colored. If this is not possible, apply reflective tape to your child’s costume or trick-or-treating bag to make it easier for drivers to see your child.
Always carry a flashlight when you are out trick-or-treating. A flashlight can allow a driver to more easily see you and your child (thus preventing a serious car accident), and it can also allow you and your child to avoid slipping or tripping hazards (thus preventing a severe slip, trip, and fall accident).
Always walk—do not run—from one house to the next. Running between houses on Halloween can lead to a trip and fall accident.
Always look both ways before crossing the street, and be sure to cross in a marked crosswalk if possible.
Walk on sidewalks wherever possible. If you must walk on the road, walk on the far edge of the street in a direction so that you are facing oncoming traffic and can quickly get out of the way if a car is coming.
Be sure that your child’s Halloween costume fits properly. An ill-fitting costume can lead to a trip and fall.
Buy flame-resistant costumes for your child, and encourage her to avoid lit jack-o-lanterns and luminaries. A burn accident can happen quickly.

Contact a San Diego Accident Lawyer

Nobody expects a deadly accident on Halloween. To be sure, this is an exciting holiday for children, and it should be a fun way for families and friends to celebrate together. However, accidents do happen on Halloween and they often result from another party’s negligence. If you or your child suffers a serious injury on Halloween, you should discuss your case with an experienced San Diego accident lawyer as soon as possible. Contact the Walton Law Firm to learn more about how we can assist you.