From the moment that you get behind the wheel of a car, you never expect that you or your children will become involved in a car accident. However, this is the reality that many individuals face every year. In 2022, the Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) estimated that 83 total car accidents occurred in Turlock involving children. Out of these accidents, 143 children were injured. If your child has been injured in a car accident, it can be a traumatic experience that leaves you with many questions along the way.
Our attorneys at Maison Law offer representation to those who have sustained injuries in car accidents throughout Turlock and the rest of Central California. We understand how devastating it can be for a child to sustain injuries in a preventable car accident caused by another party. We offer you a free and no-obligation consultation in regards to your personal injury claim. Contact us today for more information.
Injuries That Children Commonly Sustain in Car Accidents
Children who have been hurt in car accidents tend to sustain some of the most traumatic injuries in the event of a collision. On top of this, a child can expect for their injuries to follow them through life if they are severe enough. Some of the most common injuries that children in Turlock suffer from each year due to car accidents include the following:
Head and Neck Injuries: Both head and neck injuries are a common injury that can cause severe and long-term pain in children, as well as disabilities. Some of the most common types of injuries to the head and neck include whiplash, soft tissue injury, traumatic brain injury, skull fractures, and more.
Spinal Cord Injuries/Paralysis: Spinal cord injuries can be minor or severe in nature, sometimes even leading to complete paralysis in certain areas. These sometimes-permanent injuries can also include herniated discs, nerve damage, and more.
Abdominal Injuries: Abdominal injuries can include damage to the liver, kidneys, and other organs. An injury in the abdomen can lead to bleeding or organ damage, as well as take a life if treatment does not happen quickly.
Broken Bones: Broken bones can happen in the blink of an eye to small children. These include breaks to the pelvic bone, collarbone, wrist, ankle, and more. Some breaks are so severe that they even require surgery and therapy.
Facial Injuries: Facial injuries can occur when a child’s face is struck against an object or glass breaks in the event of a car accident. These injuries can sometimes be so severe that the results are permanent or disfiguring.
Cuts and Abrasions: One of the most common types of injuries that occur in car accidents both minor or severe are cuts and abrasions.
Psychological Injuries: A child who has been involved in a car accident is more likely than many other parties to suffer from psychological damage. Some of the symptoms of emotional damage in children following a car accident include insomnia, nightmares, PTSD, and more.
Bringing a Personal Injury Claim on Behalf of a Child
Every state varies as it pertains to rules for bringing a personal injury claim on behalf of a child. In California, children under the age of 18 are not permitted to bring a personal injury claim following a car accident on their own. However, a parent or guardian is allowed to file a claim for them to help them receive damages.
Types of compensation that a child may be eligible for after a car accident include the following:
- Medical expenses a child has incurred and will expect to incur in the future
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost income for the future if a child is unable to work
- Pain and emotional suffering
- Reduced quality of life
Because a child could deal with their injuries caused by a car accident for years to come or the rest of their life, the damages may be higher than in other claims. A parent may also qualify for certain types of damages when their child has been injured. For instance, a parent may be able to receive lost wages due to missing out on time at work while they tend to their child.
Factors That Affect Settlements for Child Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
There are certain factors that can affect a settlement for a claim involving a child. Here are some of these factors, explained:
Severity of the Injuries: One of the most important factors for determining a settlement number is the severity of the injuries that the child has sustained. The more severe the injuries are, the likelihood of the settlement offer being larger. Some of these injuries include severe traumatic brain injuries, organ damage, and more.
Liability of Parties: When liability is clear and it can be shown that another party is at fault for the accident, the settlement award could be much higher. If you are partially at fault for the accident, the settlement could be reduced by a certain percentage.
Age of Child: If the child is younger, they will likely require more medical care for the years to come. On top of this, they may sustain higher amounts of emotional distress caused by the collision. Settlements for younger children are sometimes higher as a result.
Child’s Future Medical Care: If a child requires long-term care well into the future, the settlement amount could be higher. Some of these types of medical care include physical therapy, ongoing treatments or surgeries, and counseling.
Pain and Suffering: More significant pain and emotional suffering can also increase a settlement amount in an accident involving a child.
Every claim is different, which means that determining the exact amount you will receive in damages is not possible. However, a lawyer will consider these factors and may be able to estimate what your claim will amount to if you are successful.
Contact a Turlock Car Accident Lawyer Today
It can be devastating to find that your child sustained injuries in a serious Turlock car accident. When you know that another party is to blame for your child’s harm, you may wonder how you will move forward with a claim against this party or multiple parties.
Our Turlock car accident lawyers at Maison Law have years of experience handling personal injury claim for children and will stand by your side in your time of need. We want to make sure that you and your child return to some sense of normalcy after a car accident that has turned your life upside-down. Please do not hesitate to contact us today for the help you need and a free consultation.
