Child Accidentally Drives Over a Toddler on Staten Island

A five-year-old reportedly got behind the wheel of a running van on Staten Island, put it into reverse and backed over a toddler. The two-year-old child was critically injured and was taken to Richmond University Medical Center for treatment.

The accident occurred while a woman was placing another child into the backseat of the van. The van belongs to Busy Kidz Group Family Day Care, and witnesses said that the woman had been transporting the children before the child was injured.

What many people may not know is that thousands of children are injured each year in non-traffic accidents like this one. These types of accidents occur when cars are not on roads, but rather in driveways, parking lots or garages. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between the years of 2008 and 2011, a reported 30,000 children were injured in non-traffic accidents involving motor vehicles. During these same years, about 800 children were killed in these types of accidents.

Children are especially vulnerable to injuries from being backed over or run over from the front. They are also often victims of heat stroke when left unattended in a vehicle. In fact, experts advise that children should never be allowed to play around cars, and to keep vehicles locked even when garaged. Care should also be taken when backing out of a garage or driveway, as small children are not as easy to spot as adults.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured due to the actions or negligence of another party, you may need to take legal action. Learn more about your options by speaking with a compassionate personal injury attorney at [ln::firm_name].