While for many kids, ‘summer’ has come to an end, it is still sunny and ‘light till late’ in the San Fernando Valley! This means many of are children are coming home from school and spending time outdoors, riding their bikes and enjoying the sunshine. As a parent, it is important to note that August is the most dangerous time of year for children, with nearly 3
million medical emergencies and 2,550 deaths because of accidental injuries. Thanks to texting and driving and other forms of distracted driving, bicycle accidents involving children make up a large number of these injuries; with some of them fatal. If your child has been injured in a bike accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney.
A recent report shows that the states that reported the largest number of bike-related fatalities were California, Florida, Texas, New York, Illinois and Michigan. This means that many innocent children are killed by the negligent driving of another. The report goes on to say that almost 2/3 of the bike accident deaths involved cyclists not wearing helmets. Wearing a helmet while riding a bike is a wise safety precaution.
While many children may not want to wear helmets for fear of not looking ‘cool’, impress on them the life-saving impact that wearing this small item of protective gear can have. Indeed, wearing a helmet is one of the most important things that children can do to stay safe while riding their bikes. To encourage helmet use, start by setting a good example for your 
children by wearing bike helmets yourself when riding with your kids. Next, take your kid helmet shopping. Gone are the days of the boxy gray helmets. Today’s kids have a great selection of cool, fun helmets. Let your kid pick out the helmet that fits his or her personality and that s/he will be excited to wear. And of course, check to make sure that your child’s helmet fits properly. Last summer’s helmet may not fit your child this year, and therefore not provide the ultimate level of protection.
Last, and certainly not least, talk to your children about traffic safety in depth and explain the rules of the road. Encourage them to use the sidewalks, where it is legal to do so, or bike paths if possible, and remind them to stay close to the right side of the road.
If your child was injured in a bike accident caused by a negligent driver, contact experienced San Fernando Valley bike accident attorney Barry P. Goldberg today.
