Longer days, warmer weather… more injuries? There’s no denying the joy of summer, but this season is not without its risks. In fact, children under 14 are statistically more likely to suffer injuries this time of year in comparison to any other.

Our Memphis personal injury lawyers see a pattern of the same injuries year after year. Based on my experience over the past 35 years, here are tips for how to avoid the most common summertime injuries.

Car Accidents

Memorial Day isn’t only the unofficial start of summer — it kicks off the deadliest stretch of the year for teen drivers. Every year, from Memorial Day through Labor Day, more people are killed in car accidents involving teen drivers than any other time of year. More teens are out on the roads during the summer, often driving to places they’ve never been before rather than simply to and from school. Additionally, many teens drive more frequently with other teens during summer break, which is often linked to a spike in accidents.

Bike Accidents

More summertime leisure means more bike accidents, too. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), more bicycle collisions happen from May to September than at any other time of year, with 10- to 15- year olds at greatest risk. Injuries range in severity. At one end of the spectrum, you have soft tissue injuries, including cuts, scrapes, and bruises. At the other, traumatic head injuries, which is reason enough to never set off without a helmet.

Swimming Pool Injuries

People swim and head to the beach in greater numbers during summer, so it’s no surprise that swimming pool injuries and drownings also spike during these warmer months. Between 2016 and 2018, approximately 6,600 children were treated in the emergency rooms for injuries in pools or spas each year.

It’s not just injuries we have to look out for — it’s fatalities, too. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fatal child drownings are on the rise. Every day, there’s nearly one pool- or spa-related drowning involving a child under 15. Pool Safely, a CPSC campaign, is a wonderful resource on pool safety for parents and grandparents of young swimmers.

Summer Grilling Injuries

Yes, even grilling brings a risk of injury, in this case burns. According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2013 and 2017, there were 10,200 home fires related to grills each year, and thousands more outside the home. Those fires sent 19,000 patients to the emergency room each year; the vast majority suffered from thermal burns.

July is the peak month for grill-related injuries, so please follow these basic safety tips.

Free Consultations With Memphis Personal Injury Lawyers

Accidents happen, but if someone else’s negligence was responsible for your injury, you could be entitled to compensation. Whether you were injured in a car accident or bike accident, or while swimming or using a grill, our experienced Memphis personal injury lawyers can help you identify your best options moving forward.

Call us at (901) 327-2100 or contact us here for a free consultation with one of our experienced Memphis personal injury lawyers.