Besides ensuring that children are in the right kinds of car seats and buckling them up, it is essential to check to see that they have not become unbuckled at any point during the drive. Children are susceptible to specific injuries in a car accident.
The human spine does not complete its development until a child becomes an adolescent. This makes them more vulnerable to head, neck, and spinal cord injuries – this is especially true for children ages 8 and under. Adults have more developed bone and muscle structures.
Throat and Airway Injuries
Nose or throat injuries can make it difficult or impossible for a child to breathe. Infants need their nasal passages for this, and if those are damaged, the consequences could be life-threatening or worse.
Thoracic Injuries
This category encompasses injuries to the torso and internal organs, including broken ribs and punctured lungs. Children, particularly infants, are at risk for these problems because their bodies are less developed and more fragile.
Other Injuries Children Experience in Car Accidents
Even if a child is sitting in the back seat, broken glass or debris can cut into their faces and bodies. That can lead to wounds, bruises, and even facial disfigurement. Their smaller bones are more susceptible to fractures, including ones in the extremities, collarbones, and pelvis.
When a child is not properly restrained, the most common injuries are abrasions, lacerations, and cuts. Even if the injuries do not appear to be serious, take your child to an ER or urgent center.
Can Children Develop PTSD After a Car Accident?
Children can also experience long-lasting emotional distress after serious car accidents. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network claims that children are vulnerable to being traumatized after car accidents. A child might not have physical injuries but exhibit PTSD symptoms like nightmares, insomnia, angry outbursts, and headaches. School-aged children might start acting out in class and have anxiety or depression. These conditions should be treated seriously with pediatric treatment and psychological care.
Our Media Car Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Represent Families Affected by Car Accidents
Few things are as traumatic as a severely injured child who survived a car accident. If this has happened to your family, our skilled Media car accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. can provide legal guidance. Call 610-565-3701 or complete our online form for a consultation. Located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.