At Maison Law, we represent those who have fallen victim to California car accidents. Children are some of the most vulnerable parties in car accidents, who sustain some of the most life-altering injuries when a collision occurs. Our attorneys are prepared to gather evidence in your claim, negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company, and provide you with necessary resources as you move forward with a personal injury claim on behalf of an injured child. Please contact a California car accident lawyer today for the help you deserve at this time.
Common Types of Facial Injuries Affecting Children in California Car Accidents
Out of the most common types of injuries in motor vehicle accidents, facial trauma remains at the top of the list over the years. Especially as it pertains to children, some injuries are more common than others. Children are more likely than many other parties to receive facial injuries in an accident due to the fact that a child’s body is especially vulnerable when a collision occurs. Some of the most common facial injuries that children sustain each year due to car accidents include the following:
Cuts/Lacerations: Cuts and lacerations to a child’s face can result from coming into contact with loose objects of sharp surfaces inside a vehicle. These cuts can be so severe that a child may require surgery or stitches.
Fractures: Facial fractures can be found in many areas, from the nose to a child’s cheekbones or jaw.
Dental-Related Injuries: A child could be in a forceful car accident that results in teeth being broken or knocked out of their mouth. This can lead to long-term dental care.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Facial soft tissue injuries can occur that affect a child’s lips, gums, or tongue.
Eye Injuries: Serious eye injuries can also occur, such as damage to an eye socket or abrasions on the cornea. These injuries can lead to permanent loss of sight if they are severe enough.
Scarring/Disfigurement: Often times, serious facial trauma can result in scars and disfigurement. The only way to treat this in the most severe cases is with reconstructive surgery.
Determining Liability After a Child is Injured in a Car Accident
No matter what type of facial injuries a child sustains in a California car accident, many families will choose to move forward with a personal injury claim on their child’s behalf. To move forward with a claim, however, you must be able to show who is liable for your child’s injuries and the accident that caused them. Establishing negligence in a car accident claim requires you to show the following:
- A driver owed you and your child a duty of care to follow the rules of the road
- The driver breached the duty of care through their negligent actions
- The breach in duty led to you and your child’s accident
- The accident caused your child damages
In most cases, the driver of the other involved vehicle will be liable for a California car accident. However, there could be other parties who are liable, such as a vehicle manufacturer or a government entity depending on the circumstances of the claim. This is why it is important that you have legal help on your side at this time.
Damages Available After Your Child Has Sustained Facial Injuries
There could be many types of damages available for your child after they have sustained facial injuries in a car accident. However, it is important to note that a parent or guardian of a child are the only parties who can bring a personal injury claim, as children are not permitted to bring a claim until they turn 18 years of age.
The damages that you may be able to recover in a child injury claim include:
Medical Treatment: All medical costs associated with your child’s facial treatment can be covered in a personal injury claim. These include necessary surgical costs, hospital bills, medication, and even medical bills that you expect to incur related to their treatment.
Loss of Future Income: Some facial injuries are so severe or permanent that they can cause disability for the child in the future. This means that your child may be able to recover damages for potential income that they may miss out on in the future from not being able to work.
Pain and Suffering: If the child has sustained physical and emotional distress caused by the accident, they may be eligible to receive these injuries.
Loss of Quality of Life: A child may find that their quality of life was reduced by their accident, including activities that they used to enjoy. Loss of quality of life damages may come into play for this reason.
Rehabilitation and Therapy: A child may require ongoing rehabilitation services, physical therapy, or any related counseling.
Contact a California Child Injury Lawyer
No parent or guardian ever wants to find out that their child has sustained life-altering injuries in a car accident. It can be overwhelming to know that your child has suffered pain and emotional turmoil due to a collision, especially one that leads to serious and even permanent facial injuries.
At Maison Law, our determined and knowledgeable California child injury lawyers are here to assist your family after your child has been hurt in a car accident. We believe that a negligent party or parties should always be held liable for the harm that they have caused you. Please do not hesitate to contact us today for more information on how we can help you handle your child’s claim from start to finish.
