Child Injuries in Rear-End Accidents
According to the NHTSA, out of all the types of collisions, rear-end collisions happen the most. These accidents account for nearly 30% of all crashes. Being involved in a rear-end collision can be terrifying. The experience can be even more scary when there is a child involved. While both adults and children can sustain injuries in rear-end collisions, children are more vulnerable to injuries due to their developing bodies. The brute force of a rear-end crash can result in severe and debilitating injuries that can impact a child’s physical abilities throughout their life. In this article, we discuss some of the injuries children can suffer in rear-end accidents and what rights you have as a parent whose child was injured in a rear-end accident.
Child Injuries in Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end collisions can result in several types of injuries to children. The seriousness of the injury a child suffers in a rear-end accident depends on several factors, including the speed of the accident, the weight and size of the vehicles, and whether restraints were used properly. The following are some of the child injuries in rear-end collisions;
- Whiplash
Whiplash is a common injury in rear-end accidents. Just like adults, children can suffer whiplash after being involved in a rear-end accident. Some of the common symptoms of whiplash in children include neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, persistent crying, neck stiffness, shoulder stiffness, back pain, and tiredness.
- Head Injuries
A rear-end accident can result in a child suffering a head injury. This can happen even with proper restraints. However, the proper use of restraints can reduce the severity of a head injury during a rear-end accident or any other type of accident.
- Other Soft Tissue Injuries
Whiplash is a type of soft tissue injury. Other soft tissue injuries that children suffer in rear-end accidents include strains, sprains, and contusions.
- Internal Injuries
The force of a rear-end accident can lead to injuries to internal organs such as the kidneys, liver, heart, and lungs. Internal injuries may not be obvious immediately after a collision, so parents must be vigilant for signs of internal injuries. Symptoms that may indicate an internal injury include persistent crying, chest pain, severe abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, vomiting, nausea, and unexplained swelling or bruising.
Your Rights as a Parent if Your Child Has Been Injured in a Rear-End Accident
Under Florida law, if your child was injured in a rear-end accident, you may have the right to file a legal claim and recover compensation for the injuries and damages suffered. If another driver’s negligence is to blame for the accident, you can file a personal injury claim against the negligent driver on behalf of your child and recover financial compensation. In Florida, children under the age of 18 do not have the legal capacity to file a personal injury claim on their own. A qualified personal injury attorney can help you with your case.
Contact Us for Legal Help
If your child has been injured in a Florida rear-end accident, contact our Orlando personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm today for legal help.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Fort Myers, Ocala, Daytona Beach, Bradenton, Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Naples, Melbourne, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale areas.
Source:
nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/analyses20of20rear-end20crashes20and20near-crashes20dot20hs2081020846.pdf