For many people, childhood is synonymous with days spent playing outside. After school, summer days, and holidays are all spent roaming the neighborhood or the local park. It is expected that children will be outside playing, but child pedestrian accidents are still a common way for children to be injured.
Pedestrian accidents are troubling enough, but children are prone to more critical damage when injured while walking. The injuries they sustain from such accidents can take considerable time to recover from and may have long lasting consequences. Their injuries could even be so severe that they lose their life. It is important to know that children are more likely to be involved in pedestrian accidents for various reasons.
Children Often Go Places by Walking
When not being taxied around by their parents (or their first friend to get a license and car), kids typically walk or bike to where they want to go. They will walk to their friend’s house, the local park, home from school, and anywhere else within walking distance.
Unfortunately, walking so frequently means that children spend a lot of time being pedestrians. The more time they spend walking around outside, the more likely they will be involved in a pedestrian accident.
Children Have Little or No Road Safety Knowledge
Our understanding of traffic rules grows as we get older. The younger we are, the more difficult it is to grasp how dangerous it is to be in or near the road.
People sometimes overestimate how much children know about staying safe near the road. Children are still learning road safety and lack the knowledge needed to be intuitive around cars. Consequently, they may behave in ways you would not expect when doing things like crossing the street by themselves.
Children Are Small and Difficult for Drivers to See
A child could be well aware of traffic rules and road safety, but if they are not visible to drivers, they are still at risk of an accident. Because children are small, they are often in drivers’ blindspots when walking nearby.
Many child pedestrian accidents occur while the child is playing in driveways, streets, or parking lots. In these cases, drivers back over children because they cannot see them behind their vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are children more likely to be involved in pedestrian accidents than adults?
Children spend more time walking to nearby destinations, still lack full road safety knowledge, and are small enough to fall into drivers’ blind spots.
Are backover accidents in driveways and parking lots common for young children?
Yes. Many child pedestrian accidents happen when a driver cannot see a small child behind their vehicle while backing up.
Can a driver be held liable even if a child ran into the street unexpectedly?
Potentially, depending on the driver’s speed, attentiveness, and whether they were following traffic laws for the area, such as near a school or residential street.
What compensation can a family pursue after a child pedestrian accident?
Families may pursue compensation for medical expenses, future care needs, and pain and suffering related to the child’s injuries.
Why should I contact an attorney after my child is hit by a car?
An attorney can help you secure a fair settlement to support your child’s recovery, working on a no-fee-unless-we-win basis.
Contact an Experienced Child Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
A child injury is an emotional experience, and it can be financially devastating. Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford, P.C. has extensive experience handling child injury cases. Our attorneys can get you the financial compensation necessary to support your child’s recovery. Our child injury attorneys are knowledgeable and can guide you through your legal options.
At Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C., we can help you secure a fair and just settlement for your child’s pedestrian accident. We collect no fees unless we win damages on your behalf. Submit our online contact form or call (215) 822-7575 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced child injury attorney.
Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C.
Pennsylvania Attorney's
August 31, 2026
