Between day care, school, and recreational activities, children spend a good portion of their time with mom and dad in the car during the week. Keeping them happy and occupied while traveling busy roads or sitting in traffic is often a goal, but the bigger concern is keeping them safe from the threat of car accidents. In light of the spike in fatal motor vehicle crashes in San Jose over the course of 2019 and a recent tragedy involving an eight-year-old boy, we want you to be aware of the steps needed to protect them.
San Jose Car Accident Claims Young Victim
A recent car accident in San Jose left several people injured and claimed the life of a young boy. The crash happened at 4:00 p.m. on a Sunday evening on Senter Road. A man was driving his two children, aged eight and nine, in a 2018 Honda CRV when he rear-ended a 2019 Tesla in front of him. The force of the collision caused the Honda to veer out of control. It swerved into oncoming traffic and eventually hit a utility pool.
Police say the children and both drivers were taken to local hospitals, but the eight-year-old suffered the most severe injuries. Tragically, he passed away several days later, making him the 36th traffic fatality in San Jose this year. Investigators have still not released any additional details about the crash or what the causes might have been.
Keeping Children Safe in the Car
Getting into a car accident with your children is every parent’s worst nightmare. Unfortunately, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) reports that more than 5,000 people are involved in crashes and collisions in our area each year. To protect yourself and your children, it is important to take some simple precautions whenever you are behind the wheel:
- Make sure children are in approved safety seats until they reach maximum size requirements, which is generally when they are tall enough to be at eye height with the window.
- Require them to sit in the back seat at all times and wear a safety harness.
- Remind children that driving is an important task and any requests for attention will need to wait until the vehicle is safely parked.
- Practice your defensive driving skills and avoid speeding, distracted driving, and other reckless driving behaviors.
While parents are typically busy and on tight schedules when dropping off or picking up children, remind yourself that taking a little extra time and a few added precautions are well worth it in terms of keeping everyone safe.
Contact Our San Jose Attorneys Today for Help
At the Jachimowicz Law Group, we provide the professional legal representation you need in holding at-fault drivers accountable when car accidents jeopardize the safety of your family. To discuss your situation and how we can help, call 408-550-1732 or contact our dedicated San Jose car accident attorneys online to request a free consultation.
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