There are a variety of external forces that affect the body, and which may cause trauma. The most common factors that can cause traumatic injury include falls, violence, road traffic accidents, and sports injuries. If your teenage child is injured in a traumatic accident, here are 10 steps you should take.
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Check On Your Child
After an accident, take a moment to check on your child. In case of a severe injury, don’t remove them from their position unless it’s essential. Try to examine them to see if they’ve sustained any damage to their head, neck, spine, or even limbs while still waiting for help.
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Seek Medical Attention Immediately
While your child can still function normally even after an injury, it doesn’t mean that they don’t require medical examinations. Some injuries, like those in the head, may not hurt at first and only begin to manifest itself after some time. Remember, if the child is seriously injured, avoid moving them while you’re waiting for the paramedics.
As soon as the paramedics arrive, they’ll take your child and examine them. They’ll also determine if your child requires emergency treatment. Immediate medical treatment improves the long-term effects of the injury.
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Hire An Attorney
There may be plenty of complications after your child was involved in an accident. Seeking legal advice immediately after the accident would benefit you greatly. An experienced attorney will speed up the process with your auto insurance and other parties involved in the accident. An attorney will help you with the case while you focus on taking care of your child. Also, an experienced attorney will help you fight for your rights, especially if the accident was caused by a negligent property owner.
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Call The Police
If your child got injured in a car accident, call the police immediately. Make sure you discuss the accident in detail when the police arrive. After filing the accident report, the police will investigate to help establish who’s at fault. You also need to exchange information with other drivers regarding your insurance information, as well as take photos of the scene to help with your compensation claim.
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Help Your Child Recover From The Trauma
Physical injuries aren’t the only thing your child may suffer from after an accident. They may also sustain certain traumas, which can later bring mental health risks, such as depression. As a parent, look out for behavioral changes in your child that may indicate that they’re finding it difficult to recover. Listen to your child’s concerns and complaints, as they can reveal what they’re going through. In case of depression symptoms, therapies will be more helpful.
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Monitor Your Child’s Condition.
As a parent, it’s up to you to monitor your child’s progress a few days after an accident. As mentioned, some injuries may take time to manifest, and they may even worsen with time. Pay much attention to your child to notice signs of conditions that need medical attention. If you notice any change, take your child to the hospital without hesitation.
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Schedule A Doctor’s Follow-up Visits
It’s necessary to book follow-up appointments with your pediatrician. Whether or not you notice symptoms, a professional need to examine your child to see if their condition has changed after the injury.
Follow-ups also add some records of your child after the accident. These records will be more useful when you file an insurance claim. Remember that any report from a medical provider is more credible in court than your reports
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Consult With Your Auto Insurance
The driver who caused the accident and their insurance company will be responsible for your child’s injury. After seeking medical treatment for your child, consult with your auto insurance to file a claim.
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Prove Your Child’s Damages
Ensure you support your claims with enough evidence concerning what transpired in the accident. Also, attach proof of physical and mental damage your child has suffered.
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Prove The Other Party’s At Fault
Some at-fault parties and their lawyers are likely to blame the parents for causing an accident to avoid responsibility. Make sure you have all the evidence you gathered from witnesses and the police to prove that you’re not responsible for the damage.
Conclusion
Any injury, especially one caused by car accidents, can cause trauma to your child. Thus, it’s advised to seek medical assistance after your child was involved in an accident. As a parent, you’re urged to monitor your child’s behavior change after an accident to identify any traumatic condition.
