According to a report detailed by National Public Radio, the number one cause of accidental death of children worldwide is traffic accidents. While almost one million children are killed every year in various kinds of accidents, traffic accidents kill almost 830,000. According to Dr. Etienne Krug, director of the Department of Injuries and Violence Prevention at the World Health Organization, "It is like wiping out the entire child and adolescent population of Chicago every year."

These fatalities are mostly found in developing countries, especially in Africa, where road traffic education is still in its infancy. A new road being built in a village may be a good thing for the community as a whole, but the villagers may not understand the dangers that come with motorized traffic on that road. In Asia, Dr. Krug notes the main danger is two-wheeled traffic, such as motorcycles. He says it is not uncommon to see as many as four or five people on one motorcycle. When there is an accident, there are often severe injuries or fatalities.

Even in the US where injury and death is reduced by safety features like seatbelts, child car seats and helmets, traffic accidents remain the main cause of adolescent fatalities.

The CDC and WHO recommend that adolescent injury prevention should be included with child health and child survival programs already in place.

Other leading causes of death for children include drowning, burns, falls, and poisoning.

If your child has been seriously injured or killed as the result of a traffic accident, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area.