Tor Hoerman has represented injured individuals for more than 30 years, with experience spanning individual personal injury cases and nationwide mass tort litigation. His work includes car accidents, catastrophic injuries, product liability claims, and other serious injury cases. Tor has served in court-appointed leadership roles in national litigation and tried cases involving major corporate defendants.
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On this page, we’ll discuss Children in Car Accidents, different types of car accident injuries suffered by children, the importance of car seats for child safety, what to do with a car seat after a car accident, and much more.
Car accidents are traumatic and physically and mentally stressful, but they can be exacerbated with a child involved.
Going through a traumatic car accident could inflict catastrophic physical, emotional, and psychological damage.
The situation is also challenging on the legal front.
Various factors, such as parental liability, medical treatment cost, and insurance coverage extension, can complicate legal action.
Hiring a specialized lawyer with expertise in car accidents involving children could help parents and guardians navigate the intricacies of such cases.
TorHoerman Law can help you understand the legal process and fight for your child’s rights.
Contact us now for a free case consultation.
You can also use our chatbot for a free, instant case review.
Car accidents can lead to a variety of injuries in children, ranging from minor bruises to severe trauma.
Understanding these common types of injuries is crucial for effective prevention and management.
Some of the most common car accident injuries in a car crash may include:
Whiplash is a common injury in car accidents, especially rear-end collisions.
Whiplash occurs when the head suddenly jerks forward and then backward, straining the neck muscles and ligaments.
In children, whiplash can lead to neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
While it’s often considered a minor injury, severe cases can result in long-term complications such as chronic neck pain and decreased range of motion, affecting the child’s quality of life and physical activities.
Concussions frequently occur in car accidents when a child’s head forcefully strikes an object or when there’s an abrupt jolt causing the brain to hit the skull.
Symptoms of a concussion may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, and cognitive difficulties.
Long-term effects of concussions can include cognitive impairments, memory problems, mood disturbances, and increased risk of future concussions.
This injury could impact a child’s academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being.
Fractures, or broken bones, are common injuries in car accidents due to the force exerted on the body upon impact.
Children are particularly vulnerable to fractures because their fragile bones are still developing and may be more prone to injury.
Depending on the nature of the accident, fractures can occur in various parts of the body, including the arms, legs, ribs, and spine.
While many fractures heal with proper medical treatment and rehabilitation, severe fractures or those affecting growth plates can lead to long-term complications such as impaired bone growth, joint problems, and chronic pain.
Internal injuries, such as damage to organs like the spleen, liver, kidneys, or lungs, can occur in car accidents due to blunt force trauma or penetrating injuries from broken glass or sharp objects.
These injuries may not always be immediately apparent and can worsen if left untreated.
Internal bleeding, organ dysfunction, and infection are potential complications of internal injuries, which can be life-threatening if not promptly diagnosed and managed.
Even if treated, internal injuries can have lasting effects on a child’s health, leading to chronic pain, organ dysfunction, and reduced quality of life.
Blunt force trauma, caused by the impact of the body against hard surfaces within the vehicle or external objects, can result in bruises, lacerations, and contusions.
Sharp force trauma, often from broken glass or debris in the car, can cause cuts, puncture wounds, and deep tissue injuries.
While these injuries may seem less severe than fractures or internal injuries, they can still have significant consequences, including scarring, nerve damage, and psychological trauma.
Children may also develop a fear of driving or experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a car accident, impacting their emotional well-being and mental health.
Children involved in car accidents may also experience other types of trauma.
Other types include:
Car crash injuries can leave a lasting impact on car accident victims, particularly children.
Car accidents can inflict a range of injuries on children.
From a simple soft tissue injury to a fatal car accident injury (i.e., traumatic brain injury), car accident injuries can negatively impact a child’s development and quality of life.
On a physical note, these injuries could impair a child’s motor skills.
Spinal cord injuries could lead to paralysis, which could cause long-term partial or complete paralysis, depending on the accident’s severity.
Car accidents could also cause mental and emotional damage.
Car crash survivors often develop trauma associated with cars or driving a car.
This form of injury could result in lengthy therapy sessions.
Ensuring the safety of children in the car is a top priority for parents and caregivers.
Implementing proper safety measures, including installing age-appropriate car seats, transitioning to booster seats, ensuring snug-fitting seat belts, and enabling child safety door locks, significantly reduces the risk of injury in the event of an accident.
Installing age-appropriate car seats is fundamental in protecting children during car journeys.
It’s crucial to follow manufacturer guidelines and local regulations regarding weight, height, and age limits for each type of car seat.
Rear-facing car seats are recommended for infants and young toddlers, as they provide optimal support for their developing neck and spine.
As children grow, they should transition to forward-facing car seats with harnesses.
Transitioning to booster seats is the next step as children outgrow their forward-facing car seats.
Booster seats elevate children to the correct height, allowing the seat belt to fit appropriately across their chest and lap, reducing the risk of injury in a crash.
Parents should ensure booster seats are used until their child meets the recommended height and weight requirements for adult seat belt use.
Once children have outgrown booster seats and are using adult seat belts, it’s crucial to ensure that the seat belts fit them properly.
Regularly check the fit of seat belts as children grow to ensure ongoing safety.
The lap belt should lay on the child’s upper thighs and not constrict their stomach.
The shoulder belt should cross the chest and shoulder, not the neck or face.
Most manufactured seat belts are adjustable, so make sure to change the length of their seat belts for a snug fit.
Activating child safety door locks prevents children from accidentally opening car doors while the vehicle is in motion.
This auto-lock feature helps prevent falls, ejections, or other accidents.
Parents should activate child safety locks on all rear doors to prevent children from opening them from the inside.
It’s also essential to remind children not to play with door handles and to exit the vehicle only when it’s safely stopped and supervised.
What should you do with a car seat after an accident?
In most cases, throwing it away is the answer.
Car seats are expensive, and throwing them away after a minor car accident can be impractical.
Some points to help you decide include:
Car accidents involving children present unique legal challenges for families, which could further complicate the case.
In many jurisdictions, there are laws regulating the use of child safety seats or booster seats for children of certain ages, heights, and weights.
Parents must comply with these laws to ensure the safety of their children while traveling in a vehicle.
Failure to use appropriate child safety seats or seat belts may result in legal penalties, fines, or citations.
Determining liability in a car accident involving a child can be complex.
Liability may fall on one or more parties, including drivers, vehicle manufacturers, road authorities, or other negligent parties.
Factors such as speeding, distracted driving, intoxication, or failure to obey traffic laws may contribute to establishing liability.
Families involved in car accidents may rely on insurance coverage to address medical expenses, property damage, and other losses.
Insurance policies typically include provisions for coverage of medical costs and liability for injuries or damages caused by the insured party.
Families should review their insurance policies to understand the extent of coverage and any applicable limitations, exclusions, or deductibles.
In cases involving severe injury or death of a child in a car accident, there may be potential criminal charges against the responsible party.
Criminal charges could include offenses such as vehicular manslaughter, reckless driving, driving under the influence (DUI), or child endangerment.
Families may need to navigate both civil and criminal legal proceedings simultaneously, requiring legal representation to protect their rights and interests.
As shown above, car accidents involving a child present different legal challenges and considerations than regular car accidents.
General differences between normal car accidents and those with a child include:
Selecting the appropriate car accident attorney is crucial, especially when handling cases involving child injuries.
The attorney’s expertise can navigate complexities, protect the child’s rights, and secure essential compensation for medical expenses, recovery, and long-term support.
It’s worth reiterating that car accident cases involving child injuries are often intricate due to factors like liability determination, assessment of damages, and legal procedures involving minors.
A seasoned attorney understands these complexities and can navigate them efficiently, ensuring the case progresses smoothly.
Children require special protection in legal proceedings, and a knowledgeable attorney ensures their rights are safeguarded throughout the process.
Lawyers work with parents and the child to protect their rights and compensation.
An experienced car accident attorney understands the full extent of damages that may arise from a child’s injuries, including medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, emotional trauma, and long-term care needs.
They leverage their expertise to build a strong case for maximum compensation, ensuring the child receives the financial support necessary for their recovery and well-being.
Negotiating with an insurance company and other opposing parties can be challenging, especially when advocating for a child’s rights.
An experienced car accident attorney possesses astute negotiation skills honed through years of experience.
The attorney can effectively negotiate settlements that reflect the true value of the child’s injuries and future needs without compromising their rights or well-being.
Experienced car accident attorneys have access to a vast network of resources, including medical experts, investigators, and child development and rehabilitation specialists.
They leverage these resources to strengthen the case, gather evidence, and provide comprehensive support to the child and their family throughout the legal proceedings.
After a car accident involving a child, parents or caregivers should take specific steps to ensure the safety and well-being of the child, as well as protect their legal interests.
Steps to take after a car accident involving a child include:
Car accidents often result in long-term injuries.
In children, these injuries could cost them a huge portion of their childhood or their entire lives.
We understand the severity of this situation, and we know that no amount of money could ever compensate for the pain and suffering experienced by parents.
We can help you get justice for the injuries and hard times you and your child are going through.
At TorHoerman Law, we have a team of experienced attorneys dedicated to handling car accident cases involving children.
Contact us now or use our chatbot for an instant case review.
Owner & Attorney - TorHoerman Law
Here, at TorHoerman Law, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Since 2009, we have successfully collected over $4 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?
TorHoerman Law represents people whose lives have been disrupted by serious injuries, unsafe products, and negligence. Our attorneys handle individual personal injury cases as well as national mass tort lawsuits involving major corporations.
Founded in 2009, our legal team brings more than 100 years of combined experience handling serious injury and complex civil litigation.
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In this case, we were able to successfully recover $20 Million for our client after they suffered a Toxic Tort Injury due to chemical exposure.
In this case, we were able to successfully recover $103.8 Million for our client after they suffered a COX-2 Inhibitors Injury.
In this case, we were able to successfully recover $4 Million for our client after they suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury while at daycare.
In this case, we were able to successfully recover $2.8 Million for our client after they suffered an injury due to a Defective Heart Device.
Here, at TorHoerman Law, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.
Since 2009, we have successfully collected over $4 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.
Would you like our help?
They helped my elderly uncle receive compensation for the loss of his wife who was administered a dangerous drug. He consulted with this firm because of my personal recommendation and was very pleased with the compassion, attention to detail and response he received. Definitely recommend this firm for their 5 star service.
When I wanted to join the Xarelto class action lawsuit, I chose TorrHoerman Law from a search of a dozen or so law firm websites. I was impressed with the clarity of the information they presented. I gave them a call, and was again impressed, this time with the quality of our interactions.
TorHoerman Law is an awesome firm to represent anyone that has been involved in a case that someone has stated that it's too difficult to win. The entire firm makes you feel like you’re part of the family, Tor, Eric, Jake, Kristie, Chad, Tyler, Kathy and Steven are the best at what they do.
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