While any vehicle accident can be a scary event, there is nothing worse than ones involving children. Not only are they more susceptible to injuries, but children who are still in car seats can face even more danger.
There are hundreds of thousands of vehicle accidents that cause injuries in California each year and many of those involve kids. Do you know what to do in an accident involving children?
If you need a Los Angeles car accident attorney, you can count on the Compass Law Group to be by your side. We will patiently work with you and your family to chart the best path forward.
You Are Their Advocate
“The most common cause of death in children under the age of 15 is unintentional injury, and the most common cause of unintentional injury is car accidents.”
That comes from a recent article in the New York Times. It goes on to state that 2,885 children died in motor vehicle accidents across the country between 2010 and 2014.
That averaged to around 11 children a week.
The most important factor in saving children’s lives in vehicle accidents is ensuring they are properly restrained. But this does not guarantee they will not be injured.
Common injuries that children sustain in vehicle accidents include:
- Head and neck injuries – the US Department of Transportation says that head injuries are the most common injury that children sustain in vehicle accidents. These can result in long-term damage, especially since a child’s brain is still developing.
- Car seat injuries – if a child’s car seat is properly secured, it will help reduce injuries, but side impacts can greatly affect kids in car seats.
- Fractures – bone injuries are common in children who are in car accidents.
We also want you to consider the psychological effects that car accidents can have on children. They may not know how to process what has happened and may need counseling.
When a child is injured in a car crash, it is up to their parent or guardian to be their advocate. They cannot speak to insurance companies themselves and you want to be sure they receive all the compensation they need for their injuries.
What You Can Do Now
If your child has been involved in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, we know there are so many things running through your mind. Your first priority is making sure they are taken care of medically. After that, you need to secure a qualified attorney.
At the Compass Law Group, you can be sure a compassionate attorney will be by your side through the whole process. We will investigate your case and get to the bottom of who was at fault. We will also handle the insurance companies. We want to make sure you get the compensation you need for all accident-related expenses.
