MADISON, MS. (August 12, 2025) – A 12-year-old girl was struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross Old Canton Road near Madison Ridgeland Academy.
The incident occurred in the area of Old Canton Road and St. Augustine Drive. Madison Police Department is investigating the accident.
According to Madison PD, a 16-year-old driver was operating a 2014 Toyota Tundra northbound on Old Canton Road when he struck the 12-year-old female who was attempting to cross the road.
The child was transported to a local hospital and is listed in serious but stable condition. The driver was not injured in the accident.
Investigations continue.
Juvenile Pedestrian Accidents: Legal Rights When Children Are Struck by Vehicles
Mississippi roadways witness numerous pedestrian accidents involving children each year, with these incidents often resulting in serious injuries due to the vulnerability of young pedestrians and their unpredictable behavior around traffic. When a child is struck by a vehicle, families face not only the trauma of their child’s injuries but also complex legal questions about liability, insurance coverage, and long-term care needs during an already overwhelming time.
The Tragic Reality of Child Pedestrian Accidents
Children are particularly vulnerable to pedestrian accidents due to their small stature, limited understanding of traffic dangers, and tendency to act impulsively around roadways. In Mississippi, factors like inadequate school zone safety measures, distracted driving near schools, excessive speeds in residential areas, and insufficient pedestrian infrastructure contribute to these preventable tragedies. When children are struck by vehicles, especially near schools or in residential areas, the injuries can be severe and life-altering.
Common scenarios include children crossing streets near schools without proper safety measures, drivers failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, children darting into roadways while playing or walking, inadequate visibility due to parked cars or poor lighting, and distracted driving in areas where children are present. School zones require particular attention due to the high concentration of young pedestrians during arrival and dismissal times.
Understanding Juvenile Pedestrian Personal Injury Claims
When a child is injured in a pedestrian accident, Mississippi law allows parents and guardians to pursue personal injury claims on behalf of the minor victim. These cases can involve multiple potentially liable parties, including drivers, schools, government entities responsible for roadway safety, and property owners who may have contributed to dangerous conditions.
Potential liable parties can include drivers who failed to exercise reasonable care around pedestrians, especially in school zones, government entities responsible for maintaining safe pedestrian infrastructure and school zone safety measures, schools that may have inadequate safety protocols for student dismissal, and property owners whose premises create visibility issues or dangerous conditions for pedestrians. Damages can include immediate and ongoing medical expenses, future medical care and rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and in severe cases, lifelong care costs for permanent disabilities.
Critical Steps After a Child Pedestrian Accident
Evidence preservation becomes crucial immediately following a child pedestrian accident. Accident scene details, driver behavior analysis, school safety protocol documentation, pedestrian infrastructure assessment, and witness statements all play vital roles in determining liability and securing fair compensation for the injured child.
Immediate priorities include ensuring the child receives appropriate medical care and documenting all injuries thoroughly, as children may not be able to communicate pain or symptoms effectively. Investigation should examine whether proper school zone safety measures were in place, if the driver was following traffic laws and exercising appropriate caution, and whether roadway design contributed to the accident.
Why Specialized Legal Representation Matters
Juvenile pedestrian accident cases involve unique legal considerations, including special rules for minors, complex liability issues involving schools and government entities, and long-term medical care planning that requires specialized expertise. These cases demand attorneys who understand both Mississippi personal injury law and the specific legal protections and requirements that apply to child victims.
An experienced legal team can immediately secure crucial evidence, work with pediatric medical specialists and child development experts, navigate the complex insurance issues that arise when minors are involved, and fight for comprehensive compensation that accounts for the child’s lifetime needs. They understand how to present cases involving child victims sensitively while ensuring maximum recovery for current and future damages.
If your child was injured in a tragic accident in Madison, the Mississippi car accident attorneys at Giddens Law can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources to produce this post, including local and state media and news sources, regional and state police incident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts about serious accidents in Mississippi. For that reason, if you find any information that is not correct, be sure to contact Giddens Law as soon as possible so that we can update the post with the most exact information available. A post will be removed upon request. All information in this post is informational and not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.
Disclaimer: All information in this post is informational and is not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.