Was Your Child Involved in a Car Accident? Take These Steps Immediately

Bill Allen | August 16, 2018 | Gainesville Personal Injury Law News

About 3 million people are injured every year in car accidents on U.S. roads. Unfortunately, many of these accidents involve children. No parent wants their child to be involved in an accident, but life is incredibly unpredictable. Here are just a few important steps you should take if you are in a car accident with your child.

Check For Injuries/Seek Medical Assistance

First, it’s important to recognize the fact that many injuries are not necessarily visible. Not all injuries are evident right away, especially in children. With this in mind, we recommend having an evaluation done by emergency services at the scene or a nearby facility that can render care.  If you decide to call emergency services from the scene, you should ensure that you, your child, or your vehicle is not in a vulnerable place as you make the call.

When authorities arrive, allow the responders to examine both you and your child for injuries, even if they aren’t immediately noticeable. Often, the initial medical evaluation will call for you to be on the lookout for changes in your child’s mood or behavior during the days and weeks following the accident.  It is not uncommon for a concussion, for example, to manifest itself in headaches, or interruption of sleep patterns that can take time to resolve.

While age can limit the ability for children to accurately express pain, “babies in distress will display excessive crying and restlessness. If your baby loses interest in toys, doesn’t want to eat, or generally seems inconsolable, contact your doctor right away,” writes SaferAmerica. Obviously, the older that a child is, the easier it will be for them to communicate their symptoms with medical providers that can assess both immediate, and long-term effects, that an accident can have.  

Find the Best Attorneys In Ocala, Florida

Finally, if there will be any hospital liens or out-of-pocket expenses for your children’s medical treatment, you can put your mind at ease by speaking with the Allen Law Firm in Ocala about how you can receive compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.  According to the U.S. Department of Justice, about 52% of personal injury cases involve motor vehicle accidents. Ultimately, understanding the benefits of having an attorney to represent you and your child can relieve the immediate stress and allow you to focus on your child’s health and healing process. The Allen Law Firm is available 24/7, so call and schedule your free consultation with a firm that believes you have better things to do than worry.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in North Central Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Ocala car accident lawyers at Allen Law Firm at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have two convenient locations in North Central Florida:

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258