What Are the Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents With Children?

Michele Mirman | Pedestrian Accidents | September 16, 2025

I have two children of my own, and they grew up in a Brooklyn neighborhood with an immense amount of car and truck traffic and pedestrian accidents — to and from the Brooklyn Bridge, Downtown Brooklyn, and the BQE. I worried myself sick when they were old enough to walk to school themselves and taught them that old song “Don’t cross the street in the middle of the block . . . Cross at the corner and wait until the light turns green . . . “ 

Even when they had the song memorized, I worried. I worried about the drivers who made turns without looking for the little ones in the crosswalks and the trucks that cut corners and ran their wheels up onto the sidewalks, regardless of who might be standing there. 

I also remember the softballs and basketballs that flew out of the schoolyard into the street, yelling for the kids to stop as they chased the balls toward the street. I prayed they’d stop at the curb and that no driver was barreling down the street at breakneck speed.  I prayed the drivers had enough sense to realize that this was a playground block with a school at the corner, which meant that children–lots of children— were playing there.

Lots to worry about when you’re a mom. 

Everyday Risks in our Neighborhoods

As a trial attorney and founder of Mirman, Markovits & Landau, P.C., I’ve seen it all. I wish I hadn’t: the children hit by cars that were trying to beat the lights and by trucks driving up onto the sidewalks to make turns; the kids sent flying, when the drivers just didn’t care enough to slow down near a park, playground or school. 

And, I’ve seen firsthand the heartbreak that occurs when a child is injured by a motor vehicle. If you’re here looking for what are the most common causes of pedestrian accidents with children, you’re not alone. These tragedies are far too frequent—and often preventable. If your family has suffered due to a pedestrian accident, my heart goes out to you. Below, I’ll outline some of the leading causes behind these incidents, so you can better protect your loved ones and know your options if the unimaginable happens.

Distracted Driver

One of the top reasons for pedestrian accidents involving children is distraction. With the prevalence of smartphones and in-car technologies, distracted driving is at an all-time high. At the same time, children are often distracted – they are, after all, children. Distracted driving is especially dangerous in crowded city environments where kids are walking to school or playing near the street.

Distracted drivers may not see a child running into the road until it’s too late. They may never slow down near a school, playground, or park. 

Residential Streets and School Zones: Hidden Dangers

Residential streets and school zones pose serious risks to child pedestrian safety. Drivers often become complacent in these areas, neglecting to reduce their speed despite visible signs and the presence of children. A large percentage of child pedestrian injuries occur within a mile of home or along familiar routes.

Speeding, failure to yield at crosswalks, and rolling stops at intersections make these environments particularly treacherous for kids. Traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps and crossing guards, are vital—but personal vigilance on the part of drivers is paramount.

Poor Visibility and Dangerous Road Design

Many pedestrian accidents occur at dusk, dawn, or in bad weather, when visibility is low. Roads lacking adequate lighting, crosswalks, or signs put children at even greater risk. 

The danger is compounded by high-traffic intersections, multilane roads without pedestrian islands, and obstructed views from parked cars—especially for smaller children who are unable to see or be seen by drivers.

Speeding, Recklessness, and Failure to Yield

Last, young pedestrians are always threatened by speeding and reckless driving. Drivers who rush through neighborhoods or fail to yield the right of way at crossings make it impossible, even for attentive children, to stay safe. Even a few miles over the speed limit substantially increases stopping distances and reduces a driver’s reaction time.

Research shows that enforcement of speed limits, active police presence, and strict penalties are necessary deterrents. I have frequently helped families win their cases because a driver’s negligence has led to life-altering consequences for a child.

I’ve been representing New Yorkers in the New York Courts for serious accidents for over forty years. My firm and I have represented over 20,000 of your neighbors, co-workers, and friends, and have handled cases and problems other attorneys only read about in books. We’re New Yorkers, living and working here in New York City and know exactly what you face, because we face that too.  

I am a former President of the New York State Trial Lawyers and the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association and the President of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association Foundation. You can read about me and my work in Wikipedia. 

Every family dreads becoming a statistic. The pain, guilt, and anger following your child’s accident are overwhelming—but you are not powerless. Call me if you have a question or need help 212-227-4000. Consultations are free. Fees and expenses are paid only at the conclusion of a case and only if we recover money for you!