When a child is injured in a car accident they have the right to compensation, including pain and suffering.
The thought of your child being injured in a car accident is terrifying. A parent does not want to consider the possibility of their child getting hurt due to the negligence of another driver, but it happens far too often. According to the CDC, in 2015 663 children 12 and younger died as occupants in car accidents and more than 121,350 were injured in 2014. These are very troubling statistics.
If you are a parent and your child has been injured in a car accident, you’ll want to know what you can do immediately following the accident. At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., we can help you and your family through this often difficult process.
Here are 3 things to keep in mind if your child is in a car accident:
1 – Children are often more susceptible to serious injuries.
Children are small and are typically more fragile than adults. When they sustain an injury, it may be more serious for them than for an adult. The most common child injuries include:
- Concussions and other head injuries
- Back injuries
- Internal Organ injuries
- Chest injuries
Head injuries are especially dangerous for children. If they aren’t fatal, they often lead to memory loss, disabilities, and headaches. When other parts of the body are injured, it can lead to improper bone growth or other permanent disabilities. These types of injuries may result in very high medical bills, some of which may last for years or for a lifetime.
2 – Some injuries are not noticeable right away.
For a child, being involved in a car accident is a very scary experience. They may be shocked and confused about what has happened and may not be able to communicate properly. That is why as a parent it’s important to stay calm. Even as an adult, you may not know the full scope of your injuries. That is why seeking immediate medical attention is critical for their sake, and yours.
If you think your child has been critically injured, unless they are in extreme danger, do not attempt to remove them from the vehicle. Wait until the paramedics get there, because moving him or her may lead to worse neck or back injuries.
3 – Contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible.
When a child is injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the child has the right to compensation, including pain and suffering. If your child is seriously injured in an auto accident, he or she may have lifelong medical expenses to deal with. You will want to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer to review your case, as you may be entitled to recover damages.
Our firm is comprised of compassionate car accident lawyers who will help to make the legal end of your car accident easy for you, while you tend the health and well-being of your injured child.
Contact a St. Louis Child Injuries Lawyer
If your child has been seriously injured or killed in a car accident due to another’s negligence, contact our law firm by calling (314) 361-4242 or by filling out our online contact form.
As one of the preeminent firms helping victims of St. Louis car accidents, we understand how to build strong cases. When you hire our firm, you can be confident that everything will be done to protect your rights and recover the compensation you need.