Common Halloween Accidents

Halloween Can Be a Fun Night, But It Can Also Be Dangerous

A favorite holiday amongst kids and adults alike, Halloween is celebrated each year on October 31st. Originating from an ancient Celtic festival, today Halloween is all about getting dressed up and having fun. For kids and teenagers, trick-or-treating is a highlight of All Hallows’ Eve, which was later renamed Halloween. Whether carving pumpkins and sipping cider with friends is more your speed, or if you are getting dressed up and taking the kids out for a fun evening of trick-or-treating, it’s important safety comes first this Halloween.

Unfortunately, Halloween is one of the most dangerous nights of the year. Not only are there more drunk drivers on the roads, but upwards of 41 million kids will take to the street in search of the best candy and other goodies. As a parent or guardian, it is your duty to ensure your kids are prepared for Halloween. And no, we aren’t just talking about having a winning costume. Numerous steps can be taken to avoid unnecessary accidents and injuries on Halloween.

At Rad Law Firm, we understand how devastating these kinds of accidents can be and are here to help you. We put our clients first – always – and will do everything we can to ensure justice is served should you find yourself in the middle of a Halloween accident. We encourage you to contact us today and schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers in the event of a Halloween injury or accident.

Halloween Accident Statistics

Before we look at why October 31st is so deadly and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones, let’s look at some of the most shocking Halloween statistics from Protect America:

• 70 percent of parents do not accompany their children when trick-or-treating
• 63 percent of kids do not carry a flashlight or other source of light when trick-or-treating
• Children are two times more likely to be killed in an accident involving a motor vehicle on Halloween than any other night of the year
• Nearly 4,000 Halloween-related injuries occur every single year in the United States
• 82 percent of parents fail to include any visibility aids on their kid’s costume
• 12 percent of children under the age of 6 trick-or-treat alone
• 86 percent of adults bring alcohol to Halloween parties
• 65 percent of parents fail to go over Halloween safety tips with their children
• 52 percent of motor vehicle fatalities that occur on Halloween involve alcohol or drugs
• 23 percent of all pedestrian fatalities on Halloween involved a drunk driver
• House fire accidents injure 41 people on Halloween a year
• Halloween is the deadliest day of the year for children people the ages of 1 and 18
• A quarter of all Halloween accidents take place between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
• Drivers between the ages of 18 and 25 accounted for one-third of all fatal Halloween car accidents
• In 2017 alone, 7,450 pedestrians died in accidents on Halloween
• 18 percent of these deaths occurred at crosswalks or intersections

October is the second-deadliest month of the year, behind only July. We hope the above statistics shed a little light on just how dangerous Halloween is. With Halloween less than two weeks away, we want to make sure you have the information necessary to keep yourself and any trick-or-treaters safe this year. If you have any questions about the above or if you would like to talk to a Dallas accident lawyer, please call Rad Law Firm and schedule an appointment today. 

Why is Halloween So Dangerous?

Halloween is hands-down one of the best times of the year. From the spooky decorations and haunted houses to creative costumes, candy, and parties, there is no shortage of fun on Halloween. However, there are also inherent dangers to this ghostly night. From car accidents to pedestrian accidents, food poisoning, and fires, a lot can go wrong on Halloween. Here is a look at some of the most common injuries and accidents that occur on Halloween:

• Pedestrian Accidents – As we’ve been discussing today, there is an increase in pedestrian accidents on Halloween. With so many adults and children walking along the streets, it is no wonder that we see a heightened number of pedestrian accidents and injuries on October 31st.
• Drunk Driving Accidents – This one also should come as no surprise based on the statistics we shared and what we’ve been talking about today. For adults, Halloween is less about trick-or-treating and more about attending parties or concerts. As the statistic above shows, the majority of Halloween parties involve alcohol. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of getting behind the wheel after a fun Halloween party. This is extremely dangerous and often leads to serious drunk driving accidents, injuries, and fatalities.
• Slip and Fall Accidents – The weather is unpredictable this time of year in Texas. Depending on Mother Nature, the streets and sidewalks may be slick and could lead to less than ideal conditions. Coupled with the intricacies of costumes, trip, slip, and fall accidents are quite common on Halloween.
• Burn Injuries – Costumes can be tricky and, in many cases, dangerous. Another common injury on Halloween is burn injuries, whether from a malfunctioning costume, decorations gone wrong, or house fires.

Halloween Safety Tips: On and Off the Road

To keep both kids and adults safe this Halloween, keep the following tips in mind:

• Costumes, wigs, and any accessories should be fire-resistant
• Avoid wearing masks
• Make sure children have a flashlight and reflective tape when out trick-or-treating after dark
• Make sure all Halloween makeup is non-toxic
• A responsible adult should accompany all children when trick-or-treating
• Agree on a specific time your children should return from trick-or-treating
• Tell your children not to eat any of their goodies before they get home
• Tell your children to ALWAYS look before crossing the street
• Remind children and adults to put away their electronic devices and keep their heads up whenever walking the neighborhoods
• Do not run into the street, especially at night
• Drivers: Enter and exit driveways slowly
  • Look for children walking on the road and sidewalks
  • Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Take extra precaution when driving at dusk

We hope you and your loved ones have a safe and fun Halloween this year. If you have been involved in an accident of any kind, please contact Rad Law Firm and schedule a consultation to discuss your case. We will help you get a settlement or take the case to court, should that be the best route.