Halloween: A Scary Time On The Street

Halloween trick-or-treating is one of the ways for families to have fun and build wonderful memories, but pedestrian accidents are on the rise. No other night of the year has more pedestrian accidents than Halloween night. 

Although The Barnes Firm’s legal services help those injured in accidents, our chief goal is to help keep you, your family and our communities safe. Unfortunately, it’s a tough task when driver inattention is at an all time high and aging infrastructure is making sidewalks and walkways extremely hazardous.

Here are the facts you need to know about Halloween night:

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Trick-or-Treating Accident Statistics

These are some of the scariest statistics that make Halloween the most dangerous night of the year for pedestrians; especially the little monsters:

  • A study from JAMA Pediatrics found that children ages 4 to 8 were about 10 times more likely to be killed in the evening on Halloween than they were during other autumn evenings.
  • The study found that the 6 p.m. hour — a confluence of rush hour and sunset in many parts of the country — was the deadliest time for trick-or-treaters to be on the road.
  • Over 60% of the accidents on Halloween happened in the 4-hour period from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m (twilight hours)
  • Over 70% of the accidents occurred away from an intersection or crosswalk.
  • Studies have cited that Halloween pedestrian deaths “highlight deficiencies of the built environment (e.g., lack of sidewalks, unsafe street crossings), shortcomings in public policy (e.g., insufficient space for play), and failures in traffic control (e.g., excessive speed).”

Please keep these things in mind when you’re dressing a loved one up for Halloween, or going out yourself. If you’re reading this and it’s already too late to stop an accident from happening, be assured that caring support is on its way.

The Barnes Firm’s best car accident lawyers treat their clients like family, and unlike some other law firms, we’ll also go over every aspect of the accident – from dealing with the insurance company to finding every shred of evidence that will help your case succeed.

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What Can We Do To Help Reduce Accidents?

There are a number of precautions both children and adults can take to help reduce their risk of getting in an accident. Here, we’ll discuss some easy options to consider before going out on Halloween night; whether you’re trick-or-treating with the kids, sending them out alone, or driving on the roads, please consider the following:

woman getting child ready for halloween with face makeup

Choose face paint over masks

When you and your child are deciding on a costume, be sure to consider a costume that does not limit your visibility.  Trip and fall accidents can result in very serious injuries such as broken bones, head injuries and deep lacerations.  Masks that have small holes can make seeing and avoiding potholes, as well as uneven pavement and obstacles difficult to see resulting in a trip and fall.  This is especially true as the sun sets and the sky gets darker.

Be highly visible

Trick-or-treating is an event that usually begins at dusk and continues until dark.  One of the best ways to prevent a pedestrian accident is to wear a costume that is light in color and reflective.  Also, it is advisable that you and your child wear clip-on lights for added visibility.  Clip-on lights should be worn on the front and back to ensure that you and your child are visible.  Some parents carry a small flashlight to help illuminate their child’s way to the front door and to help increase their visibility to drivers.  You can also purchase reflective tape and apply the tape to your child’s trick-or-treat candy bag or to a walking stick for added visibility.

child in a black halloween costume with a reflective vest, candy basket, and flashlight
child in a black halloween costume with a reflective vest, candy basket, and flashlight

Be highly visible

Trick-or-treating is an event that usually begins at dusk and continues until dark.  One of the best ways to prevent a pedestrian accident is to wear a costume that is light in color and reflective.  Also, it is advisable that you and your child wear clip-on lights for added visibility.  Clip-on lights should be worn on the front and back to ensure that you and your child are visible.  Some parents carry a small flashlight to help illuminate their child’s way to the front door and to help increase their visibility to drivers.  You can also purchase reflective tape and apply the tape to your child’s trick-or-treat candy bag or to a walking stick for added visibility.

Businessman driving at night in the city at Halloween

Assume drivers cannot see you

Another very important safety tip to teach your child is to instruct them on defensive driving.  In defensive driving, a driver assumes that the other drivers on the roadway cannot see them and drives accordingly.

For example, a defensive driver is careful not to drive in any other driver’s blind spot.  A defensive driver is always alert and ready to avoid an accident.

If your child is walking or riding their bike, you should teach them certain defensive driving skills such as assuming the driver of an oncoming car cannot see your child. Teach your child to look behind them when walking and look out for oncoming vehicles and to step further away from the road while walking on sidewalks.

Teach your children that it takes several seconds for a driver to apply the brakes of the car and for the car to come to a full stop.  Teach your children to never run out into the road but to first look in both directions two times before crossing the street.

Trick-or-treat in familiar neighborhoods 

To decrease your chances of an accident, it’s a good idea to trick-or-treat in a neighborhood that you and your child are both familiar with.  Not only for the obvious “stranger-danger” reasons, but accidents can also happen more often in places you’re unfamiliar with.

  • There may be an uneven sidewalk you weren’t aware of
  • A dangerous intersection
  • Streets with poor lighting
  • Lack of pedestrian crossings
  • Or it could be something else entirely unexpected

Even in your own neighborhood, these hazards can impact your life – and your family. If you find yourself in any of these situations, our caring staff and successful attorneys will stop at nothing to make sure you receive fair compensation for your pain, suffering, and many of the troubles that come with a sudden accident.

kids going trick or treating in a neighborhood, walking on the sidewalk in daylight, kids following safety measures

What to Do If You’re Involved In a Halloween Accident

The Barnes Firm cares about your family’s safety. Our number one goal is to help our communities be the safest places we can possibly make them. Unfortunately, we as a society aren’t there yet. An accident on Halloween night can take a huge emotional and physical toll on you and your family members.

Please consider calling us – even if it’s just to hear what options you might have – The Barnes Firm’s best injury lawyers in New York & California can help give you an idea of what challenges you face ahead, and the peace of mind in knowing that we won’t stop until you get you a fair settlement.

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