Parents will do whatever it takes to keep their children safe from harm. When you get behind the wheel of a car, you never expect that you will become involved in a life-altering collision. This is made even worse when your child is involved in the accident and sustains serious injuries. If your child has been involved in a car accident and suffered a serious injury such as a traumatic brain injury, it is important that you know what options you and your family have.
At Maison Law, we want to do whatever it takes to protect your child and their future following a serious car accident. We will hold at-fault parties liable for the harm that they caused your child and provide you with necessary resources to get back on your feet. You should never have to worry about the bills that keep piling up after an accident that has affected your child. Please do not hesitate to contact our California car accident lawyers today for a free and confidential case consultation.
Types of Pediatric Brain Trauma in Car Accidents
Children can sustain traumatic brain injuries in car accidents very easily, following them for the rest of their lives. Common accidents that lead to these injuries include rear-end collisions, rollovers, and more. When a child sustains a direct impact with a windshield or door, or their head is snapped back and forth in an accident with immense force, a brain injury can happen in the blink of an eye.
Some of the most common types of brain injuries in children include the following:
Concussions: Concussion injuries are some of the most common types of brain injuries that occur in children in adults who have been involved in car accidents. These injuries take place when there is a sudden blow to the head and can cause issues with memory, speech, and vision. The symptoms of a concussion can come on quickly or might not show up until days after an accident, which is why children should always receive immediate medical care.
Brain Contusions: These injuries occur when there is a direct impact to a person’s head. A child could easily be thrown into an object in the car or a window. As a result, they may suffer symptoms such as sensitivity to noise and light, a change in sleep patterns, memory issues, irritability, confusion, and more.
Penetration Injuries: Penetrative injuries occur when an object cuts into a child’s skin, such as shards of glass from a window. These injuries can be incredibly severe, causing a victim to go into a coma or lose their life.
A child who has been injured in a car accident should always be taken to the emergency room for medical attention. Even though some injuries are not discovered right from the start, parents can watch out for symptoms and changes in their child that may point to a possible brain injury caused by the accident. The long-term consequences of a brain injury in a child can be devastating, which is why immediate care and prevention are needed.
Lasting Impact of a Traumatic Brain Injury on a Child
The consequences and impact of a brain injury in a child depend on the severity of the injury and the circumstances of the crash. Some factors that will determine how long your child will live with this injury include how severe the injury is, the area of their brain that is affected, and how old they are. Here are some of the long-term effects that a child may experience after they have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury:
- Headaches that follow them through life
- Trouble walking, running, sitting, or engaging in other related activities
- Problems with memory, focus, and concentration
- Other intellectual disabilities that affect them for life
- Problems communicating with others
- Aggression and impulsive behavior
- A difficult time making friends and relating to others
Luckily, there are many treatment options for some children who have sustained traumatic brain injuries. Though your child may never fully return to their life before the accident, some types of treatment can sometimes help children function in their everyday life.
Holding a Driver Liable After Your Child Has Sustained a Brain Injury in a Car Accident
A brain injury, especially in a child, can be an emotional and financially devastating endeavor to face. Unfortunately, many children will carry their brain injury through life depending on its severity, which could mean ongoing treatment and bills that you cannot keep up with on your own. You may wonder what options you have for financial recovery so that you can get back on your feet during these challenging times.
In California, a parent or guardian of a minor has the right to bring a personal injury claim on their child’s behalf. A child who is under the age of 18 is not permitted to bring a lawsuit on their own, which means that parents must take the responsibility of ensuring that their child’s rights are being protected.
A child may be eligible to receive the following types of damages for the brain injury they have sustained:
- Medical expenses they have incurred and ongoing medical expenses for the future
- Loss of earning capacity if they will never be able to work
- Ongoing rehabilitative care related to the brain injury
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
These damages can help you and your child return to some type of normalcy after a collision. It is important that you act quickly, as California has a strict statute of limitations and you do not want to run out of time when bringing your claim.
Contact a California Car Accident Lawyer
It can be terrifying to experience the aftermath of a California car accident that has caused your child injuries. As a parent, you may be feeling helpless and overwhelmed, which is completely normal. Luckily, you and your family have legal options during these difficult times.
Our California car accident lawyers at Maison Law are here to compassionately assist your family during these devastating times. We will provide you with the resources you need to successfully move forward following an accident. You should never have to worry about any upfront fees as it pertains to your child’s car accident claim. Please contact us for a free and confidential case review so that you can get started on recovery.
