Frequently Asked Questions
How can I prevent my Massachusetts child from suffering a severe injury or traumatic brain injury while he/she participates in recreational activities such as bicycling, inline skating, riding scooters and skateboarding?
A:
When your child is out playing on their bicycle, inline skates, scooter or skateboard they face dangers that may lead to traumatic brain injury or other serious injury. The best way to prevent these injuries is to make sure they are taught proper safety precautions and you provide them with adequate safety equipment for their recreational devices.
The following are some guidelines for child safety and safety equipment when your child is riding on various recreational devices.
Helmets - Massachusetts law requires all riders and passengers of a bicycle, skateboard, scooter, or inline skates under the age of 17 to wear a helmet that meets the American National Standards Institute’s regulations for safety helmets. Helmets reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury by as much as 85% and are available at a discounted $5 from the Boston Medical Center Gift Shop.
Reflective Devices - An important piece of safety equipment for dusk and evening play are reflective devices. All bicycles and scooters should be equipped with a front light, as well as reflective materials on the wheels and back portion. Your child should wear light colored clothing if they are riding out in the evening to increase visibility and avoid being struck by a driver who couldn’t see them because it was too dark.
Equipment Maintenance - Make sure your child is well versed in how their equipment operates and assist with making necessary repairs. Bicycle and scooter tires should be checked for proper inflation and brakes and chains tested for smooth operation. Check skateboard and inline skate wheels to make sure they are secure and not too worn down.
Safety Rules - Teaching your child the proper safety rules is a key to increasing child safety when playing outdoors. Remind them that they should ride with traffic and as far to the right as possible, and if they are less than 10 years old, they should be restricted to sidewalk and path riding. Proper hand signals, as well as respecting traffic signals and yielding to left-turn traffic, are also essential to avoiding serious accidents.
By following proper child safety precautions and providing your child with the necessary safety equipment for their recreational devices you can reduce the risk of a serious injury while they’re out at play. Unfortunately, even with these measures, accidents can still occur, and your child’s serious injury can cost you $1,000s in medical bills. For help obtaining compensation for your child’s injury and medical expenses, you should contact an Andover child injury attorney.
If your child has suffered injury while on their bicycle, skateboard, or other equipment the Kiley Law Group is there for you. If a lawsuit is necessary to obtain compensation for your child’s medical bills, our skilled child injury team will prepare your case for trial – even if it settles beforehand. For more information, contact us today – 1-888-208-1695.
