College is one of the most exciting times in a student’s life. College students have the opportunity to undertake advanced study, make new friends, and learn to become more independent. But young people face many different risks of accidents on their college campuses. Below are some of the most common examples of accidents that students may be involved in while at college.
Pedestrian Accidents
Most students walk to get to classes, visit dining and recreational halls, and go back to their dormitories at the end of the day. While some college campuses are entirely enclosed, allowing students to walk wherever they need to get to without needing to encounter vehicular traffic, many campuses will have private or public vehicular roads running through part of the campus, while colleges that are located in cities are effectively a collection of buildings in an urban area rather than a college “campus” in the traditional sense.
When college students must walk along public roads or cross-traffic intersections, they face the chance of being involved in a pedestrian accident. Many pedestrian accidents are attributable to distracted drivers, with students (wrongly) assuming that an approaching driver is paying attention to the road and has noticed a pedestrian. Sometimes college students get into pedestrian accidents because they are distracted, such as by their phone, while listening to music on headphones, or while talking to a classmate.
Slip/Trip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall or trip and fall accidents are other common accidents that college students may face as they rush to class or to events around campus. A student may not notice a slippery floor surface or broken or uneven pavement that may cause them to slip or trip.
Sports Accidents
Many college students choose to play on the school’s sports teams or to participate in intramural sports and athletic leagues. Of course, with any sport or athletic activity, there is always the chance of suffering an injury. Common sports injuries include ligament sprains and muscle or tendon strains, lacerations, and broken bones. More serious sports accident injuries can include traumatic brain injuries (especially concussions), neck and back injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Students with undiagnosed underlying health conditions may also be at risk for cardiac arrest or blood clots when engaging in athletic activity. Students may also be at risk of physical harm due to dehydration, heatstroke, or overexertion when participating in sports or athletic activities outside in hot weather.
Alcohol-Related Accidents
College is notorious for the prevalence of parties, which typically have copious amounts of alcoholic beverages present. As college may be many students’ first exposure to alcohol, they may not know their tolerances or how to exercise responsible drinking. As a result, students may end up suffering an alcohol-related accident, including a drunk driving accident if they choose to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, or alcohol poisoning after consuming too much alcohol. Excessive drinking can even lead to injuries through violent or criminal activity, such as alcohol-fueled fighting, or sexual assault.
Contact a Lake Worth Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your College Campus Accident Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a college campus accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. represent clients injured because of college campus accidents in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, and throughout Florida. Call (561) 533-0345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 813 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33460, as well as offices in Pompano Beach.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.