Back To School Safety On The Road

Can you believe it? Summer is already over. Time flies when you’re having fun, I guess. As the kids go back to school, a new and familiar routine begins. Get up, get dressed, eat breakfast, hopefully teeth are brushed, and out the door they go. If your children walk, scooter or bicycle to school – especially if it’s their first time doing so – we have a few tips to keep them safe.

• Always wear a helmet! This is first and foremost the MOST important piece of protective gear your child can wear when riding a bike or scooter. Knee and elbow pads aren’t critical but they can certainly help your children avoid scrapes, bumps and bruises.
• Stay on sidewalks (if they are walking or riding a scooter) or use approved bicycle lanes.
• Be sure to include reflective gear in case of low visibility.
• Cross only at designated crosswalks and use crosswalk signal lights if available.

Prevention is always the best way to avoid accidents and we want your children to stay safe on the roads! However, we also know that prevention, while incredibly important, can’t be 100% effective. Should your child be injured in an accident because of a driver while walking or riding to school, we want you to know what to do. So we put together a few steps to take so that any damages (medical bills, lost wages, etc.) can be covered.

GET HELP FIRST

If any injuries have occurred, even if they seem minor, seek immediate medical attention. It’s better to play it safe than risk an injury that causes further damage.

WRITE IT DOWN

Work with your child to write down as much as you can about the accident. As soon as possible, document where the accident occurred, the time of day, weather conditions, traffic conditions, and anything else you can think of.

DOCUMENT EVERYTHING

Take pictures of the accident scene and any injuries as soon as possible after the accident. If emergency services were called, be sure to get copies of the medical records. Work with your child to keep a journal of any physical symptoms, writing them down as often as they change or at minimum every few days.

PRESERVE THE EVIDENCE

If a bicycle accident has occurred, don’t have the bike repaired. Leave it in the same condition as it was following the accident. Same goes for the helmet and any other equipment. Don’t wash the clothing your child was wearing so that physical evidence is preserved in case it’s needed.

SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE

Accidents that happen between cars and bikes or pedestrians can become complex and difficult to navigate. Don’t hesitate to contact an attorney if you don’t want to deal with it all on your own. They are there to fight for you.

Stay safe! Remember prevention is always the best approach. Talk to your kids about all the ways to keep them safe and happy as they go back to school!

We hope you never have to worry about it, but if you find yourself in one of these unfortunate situations, we want you to focus solely on your child’s care. We can handle all the legal aspects so you don’t have to. If you have any questions, you can contact me either at the office or on my cell.

What are your top back-to-school safety tips for this year?