Car accidents are traumatic events, but when your child is with you when the crash happens, it can quickly turn into an even worse event. The majority of parents will quickly check their child for injuries and immediately seek medical attention since symptoms for injured car accident victims at any age may not show up right away. It can be even worse when younger children are involved because they may not be old enough to communicate with their parents that there is a problem. This is why parents need to be especially vigilant in watching for any signs of injuries in their children that could happen as a result of the accident.
Head Injuries
While some injuries are quite obvious – like fractured bones or cuts and bruises – injuries to the head can be hard to detect, such as concussions. A child may be having symptoms from the concussion but they do not understand what is happening and/or cannot communicate these feelings to their parent. The following are some of the signs that parents should watch for that could indicate their child has suffered an internal head injury:
- Frequent crying
- Lack of interest in doing the normal things the child usually does
- Mood changes
- Regressing speech or motor skills
- Unusual drowsiness or sleeping more than usual
Even if a parent is unsure if the child is actually showing signs, it is better to have them checked out by a doctor and find out there is nothing wrong than to let too much time go by and have the situation turn into a life-threatening crisis.
PTSD
Another common condition that many children develop after a car accident is post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). Vehicle accidents can be frightening for adults, so it is no surprise that scare is often magnified for a child. Many children will develop PTSD and exhibit behaviors that are completely different than before the accident. They may become more emotionally attached to their parents, not wanting to be left with other family members or caretakers. They may be too afraid to get into a vehicle.
If you suspect your child has developed PTSD from the crash, talk to their pediatrician, who will likely direct you to different forms of therapy which can help your child overcome the fears they are dealing with. It is also important to remember that many adults also develop the condition after a crash and you may also be struggling, as well, which can also affect the emotional impact the crash has on your child.
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If the other driver caused the car accident through negligent or reckless behavior, you may be able to file a car accident claim or lawsuit against that driver. A car accident lawyer Bristol, TN trusts can evaluate your case and determine what type of legal recourse you and your family may have for both the physical and emotional injuries anyone has suffered because of the crash.
Thank you to our contributors at the law office of Mark T. Hurt for the above information.