Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
It’s getting warm out there and it’s time to listen up! We’re seeing temperatures in the 80s and that’s warm enough to pose some serious risks for heatstroke for children who are left in a vehicle.
According to NBC News, there have already been at least 8 children who have been killed this spring after they were left in a vehicle by a caregiver. Most of them were children under the age of 2. That number includes 7 that happened in the month of May alone.
Our Boston injury lawyers understand that car collisions are not the only types of car accidents involving vehicles. Leaving a child in a vehicle can have serious or fatal consequences, too. Most of these fatalities occur after a parent, babysitting or other caregiver “forgets” to remove a child from a vehicle.
“It has everything to do with our brains letting us down at the worst possible moment,” said Janette Fennell with KidsAndCars.org.
On average, close to 40 children die in hot cars each year from heat-related deaths after being trapped inside motor vehicles. Even the best of parents or caregivers can overlook a sleeping baby in a car; and the end result can be injury or death.
Since 1998, there have been close to 600 children who have died in cars after being left inside. Each year, these cases begin to climb in May.
Reduce the number of deaths from heatstroke by remembering to ACT.
A: Avoid heatstroke accidents by remembering to never leave your child inside an unattended vehicle. Don’t even let them stay in the car if you’re only running in “for a minute.” Seconds matter when we’re talking about children and heatstroke.
C: Create some reminders that will help you to remember to look in the backseats every time you get out of the car. Put a stuffed animal in the passenger seat, or stick up a sticky note. Whatever it is, make sure that it reminds you to check all seats before getting out, locking up and walking away.
T: Take action. If you happen to see a child inside a vehicle alone, call 9-1-1 right away. Emergency responders are trained to handle these kinds of situations.
Remember that it doesn’t have to be scorching out for it to get too hot inside your vehicle. Remember that most of these accidents happen on days with relatively mild (i.e., ~ 70 degrees F) temperatures and that vehicles can reach life-threatening temperatures very rapidly.
“We hope everyone who cares about the safety of our children – parents, grandparents, caregivers and others – will follow the simple, and important, safeguards that can save lives and avoid unnecessary heartache,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident in Boston, contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers to schedule a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call 877-617-5333!
More Blog Entries:
Boston Car Accidents Result in Serious Child Injuries, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, March 10, 2013
Heatstroke Injuries in Boston Common through Summer Months, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, June 25, 2012