According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 90,000 children are injured each year in car accidents. Tragically, national statistics show that car accidents are one of the leading causes of death for children 12 years and younger. Children who do survive serious crashes are often left with severe or permanent disabilities. Pursuing damages on behalf of a minor can be complex. Parents need skilled legal to obtain the best possible outcome for their family based on the circumstances of their case.
What are the most common car accident injuries suffered by children?
Since children are smaller in size than adults, they are often more at risk for sustaining serious injuries in any car accident, even a minor one. A Richmond, VA car accident lawyer knows that what’s even more dangerous is that symptoms of injuries for children are not always immediately apparent. One of the most common types of injuries children sustain in crashes is a brain injury, yet it can take hours – even days – for any symptoms of a brain injury to begin to appear.
Children are also more at risk for injuries to the spine and the thoracic area. And they also are at high risk of fractures, lacerations, and soft tissue injuries.
For a legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call 434-817-3100
If you are in a crash and you have children in the vehicle with you, it is imperative to call 911 and request emergency services, even if there are no visible injuries. If you suspect your child may have injuries to the head, spine, or neck, do not move your child and try to keep them still until EMTs arrive. Even if the EMTs clear your child from injuries, you should still contact their pediatrician for further evaluation.
What type of financial compensation can be awarded to children injured in car accidents?
There are a number of damages a child may be entitled to for their injuries. Any medical expenses related to the crash should be covered under a car accident claim or lawsuit. This should also include any future medical expenses, as well. There are also the non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional anguish, scarring, permanent disability, and more. Any loss of income suffered by parents because they were unable to work in order to care for their child while they recovered may also be included in any legal action.
If your child has been injured in a crash, then you will want to make sure they receive the financial compensation they deserve. However, these types of cases can be complex, and parents should not try to settle with the insurance company on their own. These cases really do require the legal expertise of a skilled Richmond, VA car accident lawyer in order to ensure the child receives the best possible outcome available. Call MartinWren, P.C. for legal assistance today.
Our Virginia personal injury firm writes a lot about car accident cases; however, the majority of these articles are directed at the actual victim of a car accident. The reality, however, is that children are also victims of car crashes. And just like adults, children also have the legal right to financial compensation from the driver responsible for the accident. A car accident lawyer in Richmond, VA can help you pursue a car accident claim on behalf of your child.
Call 434-817-3100 or complete a Case Evaluation form
