What Injuries Can Children Suffer in a Car Accident?

August 3, 2022

Children can be uniquely impacted by car accidents for many reasons. The first is their small stature. The second is that their bodies have not yet developed fully, leaving them more susceptible to some types of trauma. And the third is that they may not understand how to process their emotions or even describe physical discomfort after a crash.

As a result, children’s car accident injuries do not always mimic those of adults, but it is just as that they be diagnosed and treated. Waiting too long to address a child’s post-collision medical needs can lead to long-term health difficulties. If you are a parent, you will want to stay aware of the most common types of physical and psychological injuries suffered by minors involved in car accidents.

Physical Injuries

The physical injuries often reported in kids who have been hurt in crashes include the following:

• Head Trauma: Head injuries can range from mild concussions to permanent brain damage depending upon how intense the impact was, as well as whether or not the child was properly restrained. Any head trauma should be identified and treated quickly. Otherwise, it could lead to serious complications or, in rare cases, fatalities.
• Injuries From Flying Objects: During a car accident, items can become loose and hit young passengers. This includes glass from front, side, and rear windows. Flying objects can bruise skin or lead to bone fractures. They may also contribute to head injuries.
• Airbag Injuries: Although airbags can save lives, they may be too forceful for young car occupants. A deployed airbag can break a child’s bones or even cause a fatality. Consequently, parents may want to keep children in the backseat even past the age and weight where they can ride in the front.
• Internal Injuries: Not all child-related car accident injuries can be seen with the naked eye. Broken ribs, collapsed lungs, and internal organ damage may not appear right away. Therefore, a thorough examination of a child may be warranted after a serious crash.

Psychological Injuries

Like their parents, children are not immune to the psychological fallout from a sudden car accident. Plenty of kids internalize the experience or start to exhibit signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. For instance, some children who have been involved in crashes may have trouble sleeping, may cry for no reason, may be unable to keep up with schoolwork, or may change personalities.

It can be tough to compel insurance providers or courts to cover psychological injury treatment after a child has been in a collision. However, it is a fight worth having to help offset the costs associated with helping an injured child lead a healthier life. Many parents work with car accident lawyers to help recover economic and non-economic (a.k.a., “pain and suffering”) damages after their children have been hurt in crashes.

How to Lessen the Risk of a Child Being Injured in an Accident?

How can you help your child stay safer as a passenger in your vehicle? Although it is impossible to prevent all accidents, you can take a few steps to make your travels safer.

• Make sure your children are properly secured. From car seats to seat belts, you can make sure that all the restraints in your car are working properly. If you believe that a restraint failure caused your child’s accident injuries, be sure to mention this fact during an initial consultation with a car wreck lawyer.
• Follow the rules of the road. Your driving can make a big difference when it comes to avoiding or limiting injuries to child passengers. Avoid distractions and pay attention to posted speeds. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time in the event of bad weather, too.
• Keep up with your vehicle maintenance. A well-maintained vehicle is a safer vehicle. Instead of putting off visits to your mechanic, stay on top of your automotive checkups.

Of course, if you get in an accident while your child is in the car, you may want to take him or her to receive medical attention immediately. Be sure to attend to any medical needs you have as well. Getting the care you and your family deserve is integral to putting an accident behind you.

Wilmington Car Accident Lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. Work With Parents Whose Children Have Been Injured in Car Wrecks

Was your child injured in a car crash? Put the power of our Wilmington car accident lawyers at Jacobs & Crumplar, P.A. on your side. Call our firm at 302-656-5445 or fill out our online form to set up a meeting at our Millsboro or Wilmington, Delaware offices. We handle cases from Dover to New Castle County and Sussex County.