What happens when a child is injured in a car crash? Is the personal injury claim handled differently than when the victim is an adult? At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our North Carolina car accident attorneys can answer all of your questions regarding car accident claims and lawsuits.
National Statistics
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 115,000 children are injured in car accidents each year. Almost 1,000 children 12 years old or younger are killed every year in crashes.
Most Frequent Car Crash Injuries for Children
Since children are smaller in size than adults, they are often more at risk of sustaining serious injuries in a car accident, even a minor one. What’s even more dangerous is that symptoms of injuries in 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.
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.
Compensation for Your Child’s Injuries
If your child has been injured, 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 car accident lawyer in order to ensure the child receives the best possible outcome available. It is not uncommon for insurance companies to try to minimize the value of a child’s injuries and there is also the possibility that the child may have ongoing, future medical issues as a result of their injuries that should also be included in any settlement or award they receive.
Contact Us Today for Assistance
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries as a result of another party’s negligent or reckless actions, contact a North Carolina personal injury attorney from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp. It is critical to remember that North Carolina has placed a statute of limitations on how long victims have to file a claim for damages against those responsible for their injuries, so do not delay. Failure to file before that legal deadline could mean you lose any chance of ever filing your claim or getting justice against the person responsible for you or your loved one’s injuries. The statute of limitations in accidents involving children has different rules that your attorney can explain to you.
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