What Are Common Types of Injuries for Children in Car Accidents?

The only thing that can make a serious car accident more traumatizing is if your child is in the car at the time of the accident. Even if your child was wearing a seatbelt or was safely secured in an age- and weight-appropriate car seat, children are susceptible to serious, even life-threatening injuries from car accidents. In fact, car accidents are one of the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities among children. Due to the fact that children’s bodies are still growing and developing,  they are less protected against the force of impact caused by a car accident. As a result, they are more prone to certain types of injuries. If your child is injured in a serious car accident, it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced car accident lawyer at your earliest convenience.

While adults and children can both suffer serious injuries in a car accident, children are more prone to certain types of injuries, including the following:

• Head injuries: Head and brain injuries are the most common type of injury children sustain in serious car accidents. These are particularly common in children under the age of 1. Depending on the severity of the injury, this can have serious and long-lasting consequences on a child’s physical and cognitive development, which can affect their ability to participate in school and a range of other activities.
• Spinal cord injuries: Babies and toddlers are at particular risk for spinal cord injuries because the neck area is highly flexible. The force of impact from a car accident can cause serious neck and spinal cord injuries.
• Thoracic injuries: Babies under the age of 1 are at greater risk of sustaining a serious injury to the heart or lungs if a car accident causes a blow to the chest. This can also cause fractured ribs, which can puncture the heart or lungs.
• Fractures: Broken bones are another common car accident injury. Children’s bones are still developing, which makes them more prone to fractures compared to adults. If the fracture affects a growth plate, this can cause ongoing issues that may require medical intervention and physical therapy.
• Glass injuries: If the force of impact causes the windows or the windshield to shatter, this can cause serious cuts and lacerations on a child’s face or body.
• Airbag injuries: While airbags are an effective safety feature, they can cause injuries to young children if they are sitting in the front seat at the time of a car accident. When deployed, the sudden force of the airbag can cause serious injuries, including a broken neck and other broken bones.
• Car seat injuries: If a car seat fails to properly restrain a child during a car accident, this can have devastating consequences.
• Psychological trauma: Serious car accidents are traumatic events that can cause children to experience ongoing psychological conditions, including anxiety. This may require ongoing counseling.

Can I Recover Compensation for My Child’s Injury?

If your child suffered a serious injury in a car accident, the costs associated with treating the injuries will start to accumulate very quickly. If the other motorist involved in the accident was at fault, you may seek financial compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the other driver. A successful outcome will ensure that you recover the damages you are entitled to, including medical expenses and pain and suffering. Keep in mind, however, that Georgia is a comparative negligence state, which means that if you were partly responsible for causing the accident, you can still recover damages, but your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of liability. In addition, if you were more than 50 percent at fault, you would be ineligible to recover compensation.

How Can I Protect My Child From a Car Accident Injury?

Despite your every effort to drive safely and make sure that your child is secured in the correct car seat, you cannot control how other people drive. A serious car accident can happen when you least expect it, and your most precious cargo can suffer a devastating injury. However, there are proactive steps you can take to make sure that your child is as safe and secure as possible when they are in the car, including the following:

• Purchase the safest vehicle you can afford. Check the most recent safety ratings on websites like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
• Buy the right car seat based on your child’s height and weight. Make sure it is installed properly.
• Make sure that your child is placed in a restraining seat anytime they are riding in the vehicle and that the seat has been fastened properly.
• Avoid having your child wear bulky clothing when restrained in a car seat. If it is cold, put a blanket over your child and put the jacket on later.
• Never let a young child ride in the front seat.
• When riding in the back seat, the middle seat is the safest position.
• Children under the age of 2 should remain in a rear-facing car seat.
• Do not allow yourself to be distracted by a fussy child. This can take your attention away from the road and increase the risk of a serious, yet avoidable, distracted driving accident.
• Do not drive for long hours at night with your baby in the car. If you become drowsy or fall asleep at the wheel, you and your child could be seriously injured in a car accident.

The Savannah Car Accident Lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC Recover Compensation for Children Injured in Car Accidents

If your child was injured in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact the Savannah car accident lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC. We understand how devastating this can be, particularly if the injury is serious. Our dedicated legal team will guide you through every step of the claims process, ensure that your legal rights are protected, and help you recover the financial damages that you deserve. We will continue to fight for you until you are completely satisfied. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 478-254-2007 or contact us online. Our office is located in Macon, Georgia, where we serve clients in Savannah, Albany, Atlanta, Bibb County, Chatham County, Columbus, Crawford County, Oglethorpe, and Peach County.