Halloween and Pedestrian Accidents in Residential Areas

 Posted on October 24, 2024 in Personal Injury

Halloween is widely considered one of the most fun holidays by children and adults alike. Children get to dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating. Adults are more likely to celebrate by heading out to the bars or to house parties, possibly also in costumes. Unfortunately, this means that there is a higher-than-average number of drunk drivers out on the one night of the year when children flood the street just after dark. This creates a very dangerous situation for everyone involved. If you are injured by a drunk driver this Halloween, an experienced DuPage County, IL pedestrian accident lawyer can fight to recover compensation for you.

4 Reasons Halloween is Particularly Dangerous

A few of the reasons why Halloween is a particularly risky night for pedestrians in residential areas that are normally quite safe include:

• Families are out - While New Year's Day is the most common day of the year for drunk driving accidents in general, Halloween is more dangerous for children. While families with young children tend to stay home on New Year’s Eve, so they are not out driving in the deadly post-midnight hours, families with young children are usually out trick-or-treating. 
• Staying safe is harder - Many of the usual safety tips people are given about walking after dark are not as effective on Halloween. Wearing reflective clothing may not help as much as it normally would due to the high volume of pedestrians drivers should be looking out for and because drunk drivers may lack the reaction time needed to stop even if they do see a pedestrian. 
• Children are excited - Even a child who is normally a good listener and follows street safety rules might have a lapse in judgment due to the excitement of trick-or-treating. Children are more prone to running into the street without warning when they see their friends on the other side or hear that a house is giving out particularly good candy. 
• Teen drivers are drinking - It is not just those over 21 years old who are drinking and driving. Teenagers who are now too old for trick-or-treating may choose to drink or use cannabis at house parties instead and then try to drive home, often with other teenagers in the car, encouraging reckless behavior. 

Contact a DuPage County, IL Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer 

Rathbun, Cservenyak & Kozol LLC will fight for you to recover every dollar you are entitled to if you or your child is injured by a drunk driver. Our experienced Naperville, IL pedestrian accident attorneys have won millions of dollars in verdicts for clients. Contact us at 815-730-1977 for a complimentary consultation.