At Maison Law, we offer representation to those who have sustained injuries in serious California car accidents. Unfortunately, children are often the victims of preventable car accidents due to the negligence of others. Children can sustain many types of injuries in these accidents but broken bones are some of the most painful and can lead to a long recovery. If your child has sustained broken bones in a California car accident, contact us to find out how you can recover.
Why Broken Bones Commonly Impact Children in Car Accidents
There are many types of injuries that are most common in children who become involved in car accidents. One of these injuries are broken bones. Why do broken bones affect children so frequently when a severe car accident occurs?
Children’s bones are a bit different from adult’s bones due to the fact that they are still soft and more flexible. This means that, in the event of an accident with force, a child’s bone could bend or buckle under the pressure instead of breaking all the way through. They do, however, sometimes sustain complete fractures as well where the bone breaks all the way through into two pieces. No matter how these injuries occur, they tend to lead to extensive pain and a long recovery in children, which can affect their life in various ways.
Common Broken Bones in Child-Related Car Accidents
Children sustain many different types of fractures in car accidents. Bones that commonly break in children involved in car accidents include upper arms, clavicles, ribs, thighs, pelvis, facial bones, and more. Some of the most common types of fractures include the following:
Simple/Closed Fracture: If the bone remains in the body in the event of a break, it is known as a simple or closed fracture. If a child has potentially suffered from one of these breaks, they should never manipulate the area as to not worsen the break.
Compound/Open Fracture: These fractures happen when there is a break in the skin due to the injury. These wounds need to be treated promptly, as infection can set in quickly.
Incomplete/Partial Fracture: When a bone bends and only partially breaks, which is common in children, an incomplete fracture occurs. A doctor will be able to assist your child and determine if a splint or a cast is necessary for treatment.
Complete Fracture: In these fractures, a bone breaks in two or more pieces. A doctor will need to see your child promptly so that the injury can heal properly with the correct treatment.
The severity of the accident will determine how serious the fracture will also be. These fractures are sometimes so serious that they require weeks, months, or even years of treatment.
Understanding Damages in Broken Bone Cases
In the event of a personal injury claim involving a child, the damages tend to be higher than a claim involving an adult. Accidents can be traumatic for children and the recovery time might even be longer than expected. A child may be able to receive both economic or non-economic damages in a car accident claim leading to a broken bone. Some of these damages include the following:
- Medical bills a child sustains or expects to incur in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Therapy-related costs
- Loss of quality of life caused by the injuries
When a child under 18 years of age has been injured, a personal injury claim must be brought by their parents or a guardian on their behalf. Because this can be a complex matter, parents or guardians should always seek legal help as they move forward with a claim.
Contact a California Car Accident Lawyer Today
A broken bone in a child can be especially painful and traumatic. On top of this, there is always a chance that a child could be left with complications for the remainder of their life if the fracture doesn’t heal correctly. Because of this, it is crucial that a family speaks with a California car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a child has sustained injuries in an accident.
Our attorneys at Maison Law are here to help you and your child protect your rights every step of the way in a car accident claim. We understand the ins and outs of California law and will provide you with the resources you need to successfully move forward with your case. With compassion and care, our attorneys will ensure that your child receives the damages they need during these challenging times. Please do not hesitate to contact us today for more information.
