3 Things To Do If Your Child Was Injured In A Car Accident

3 Things To Do If Your Child Was Injured In A Car Accident

As a parent, you’ll likely do anything in your power to keep your children safe from harm and danger. And while most parents feel this way, there are still so many people who have kids in their car but don’t drive as safely as they sometimes should. When this happens, there’s a good chance that you and your children or other passengers could get into a car accident. So if and when this does happen to you, here are three things you should do if your child is injured in a car accident.

Know What To Look For In The Days After

For car accidents that are very traumatic and require you to have emergency responders called to the scene, your child will likely be taken to the hospital and be treated right then and there. But for smaller accidents where no one needs to be rushed to the hospital immediately, it’s still important that you keep an eye on any small injuries your child may or may not present right away. According to Care2.com, some of the symptoms you should look out for in the days following a car accident are headaches, back or neck pain, and stomach pain. Especially with children who can’t speak well or articulate their feelings effectively, you’ll need to be very watchful for these symptoms, as they could indicate major problems that are only now showing up.

When To Replace A Car Seat

Depending on the extent of the accident, you may need to replace your child’s car seat or booster seat following an accident. To help you know if you’re going to need to purchase a new seat for your child to use in the car, Heather Corley, a contributor to Very Well Family, shares that there are five criteria that must all be met for your child’s car seat to still be considered safe. These criteria include your vehicle still being able to be driven, no damage to the door closets to the car seat, no people in your car were injured at all, none of your airbags deployed, and there being no visible damage to the car seat whatsoever. If any of these five things are present, you’re going to need to get a new car seat for your child.

Consider Contacting An Attorney

In the event that your child sustained some type of injuries in the car accident, you may want to contact an attorney to get assistance in your child’s medical bills and compensation payments. According to David Goguen, a contributor to AllLaw.com, parents can negotiate claims in behalf of their child, and having an attorney on your side during this time can help to make things go much smoother for everyone involved.

If you’ve just been in a car accident with your kids in the car, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you know what steps to take now.