What Can I Do if My Child was Injured in a Car Accident?

Children Injured in Car Accidents

Finding out your child has been injured is heartbreaking, especially if their injury was caused by the negligence of another party. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 12,000 children lose their lives every year because of an accidental injury.

Fortunately, children under 18 have the legal right to recover compensation for their damages in a personal injury lawsuit, just like adults.

If your child has been injured, contact the skilled Ohio child injury accident lawyers at Kisling, Nestico & Redick today. We’ll determine the cause of your child’s injury and ensure their rights are protected. Call KNR today at 1-800-HURT-NOW to schedule a free, initial case evaluation.

Car Accidents Involving Children

Child car accident injuries occur as the result of various incidents. At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, our Ohio personal injury lawyers have found most child injury cases are related to:

Child Pedestrian Accidents

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, there were 296 pedestrian accidents involving children every week. Most of these accidents occurred in intersections, but regardless of the details, you should know your rights and options.

Bike Vs. Car Accidents

Children need to be careful when riding their bikes. However, drivers should also be on the lookout. A distracted driver turning right or going too fast in a neighborhood can collide with your child and do a. lot of harm.

School Bus Accidents

If your child takes the bus to school, they may sustain an injury because of a poorly maintained bus or a bus driver’s negligence. It’s important to know your rights and what to expect.

School Zone Accidents

Despite lower speed limits and strict enforcement, a distracted or speeding driver in a school zone can do tremendous harm. But you can hold the right party accountable.

Child Passenger Injuries

While passengers are in their parents’ or caretakers’ vehicles, children should be in an appropriate car or booster seat, and they should always be wearing a seat belt. However, you can do everything right, but if you’re stuck by a negligent driver, your child could be hurt.

Common Child Injuries

Whether it’s a car accident or another act of negligence, children can suffer a wide array of serious injuries:

• Broken Bones/Fractures
• Head and TBI Injuries
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Burn
• Lacerations

Sadly, these injuries often lead to debilitating pain, long-term recovery, and/or a lifetime of disability. If your son or daughter was injured, call the child injury accident lawyers of Kisling, Nestico & Redick today for help.

Compensation for Child Injuries

Several different parties may be held liable depending on the circumstances surrounding your child’s injury.

As a parent, your top concern should be your child’s recovery. Since their medical treatment will likely be costly and expensive, your child may be entitled to collecting compensation for the following damages:

• Medical bills
• Home care costs
• Household and vehicle modifications
• Cost of special schools or educational programs
• Permanent disfigurement
• Mental anguish
• Physical pain

Who’s Liable for Your Child’s Car Accident Injuries?

Assigning fault and ultimately legal liability for a child’s car accident injury is an essential part of filing a claim and recovering compensation. Liability refers to the legal responsibility for the harm your child endured and can apply to the party directly responsible or the applicable insurance policy.

To establish fault & liability, you must show:

• A party had a duty to act reasonably under similar circumstances
• The party breached this duty of care
• The breach caused your child’s injuries
• Your child suffered injuries

For instance, if your child suffered injuries after being hit by a car, you and your lawyer will need to prove that the other driver had a duty to follow the traffic laws, they breached this duty by speeding, and your son or daughter’s injuries resulted from the collision. Finally, you’ll have to demonstrate that your child experienced damages in connection to their injuries.

The liable parties may include:

• The negligent driver
• The owner of the vehicle the negligent driver was using
• The negligent driver’s employer if they were working at the time
• Parties that contributed to the accident (a bar that overserved a drunk driver)
• Your own insurance company if the driver is underinsured or following a hit and run

Steps to Take If Your Child Has Been Injured

There are certain steps you should take to ensure your child recovers as soon as possible and that their rights remain protected, including:

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Take your child to a doctor right away. Even if you believe they are fine or their injuries are minor, it’s imperative they receive immediate medical attention.

Document the Accident

If possible, document your child’s accident as much as you can. You should attempt to record where, when, and how it occurred. It’s a good idea to photograph the accident scene and their injuries.

Report the Injuries

Make sure the appropriate authorities are informed of your child’s injuries. For example, if their injury happened at school, let their teacher or principal know. If it was the result of a car accident, call the police.

How KNR Can Help

If your child was hit by a car, you are entitled to seek compensation. You need to be able to focus your attention on your child’s recovery, which is why the lawyers at Kisling, Nestico & Redick want to help.

We’ll handle every aspect of filing a claim or lawsuit, so you can be with your child. We will retrace the steps of the accident and do everything in our power to hold the negligent party responsible.

At KNR, our attorneys will:

• Answer your questions and concerns
• Keep you updated during all stages of the process
• Obtain medical records about the extent of your child’s injuries
• Identify the responsible party
• Determine the fair and full value of your damages
• Negotiate for maximum compensation
• Fight for everything you deserve in court if necessary

For families who have lost a child, we can also help file a wrongful death claim.

Contact Our Child Injury Lawyers

Child injury claims are complicated. Therefore, you should seek legal representation to increase your chances of collecting the fair compensation you and your child deserve. When you reach out to the experienced child injury accident lawyers of Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we’ll perform a thorough investigation, help you find appropriate medical care for your child, and file a personal injury claim on your behalf. Count on us to help you recover fair and full compensation for your child’s damages.

If your child suffered an injury in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, contact us today at 1-800-HURT-NOW for a free, no-obligation consultation.