After a car accident involving your child, you have a legal right to seek compensation for associated losses, such as hospital bills, missed work, and emotional distress.
Since every car accident is different, it is impossible to predict the average settlement for a child in a car accident. A Florida car accident attorney in your area can help you determine which damages to pursue.
What Factors Can Affect My Child’s Car Accident Settlement?
Several factors can affect your accident settlement, including how the accident occurred, who was at fault, how severe your child’s injuries were, and whether you lost your child as a result.
How Did the Accident Occur?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), approximately 63,000 children aged 12 and under suffer injuries in vehicle crashes annually. More than 600 children annually tragically pass away from their injuries in motor vehicle collisions.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), common causes of motor vehicle accidents involving children include:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI)
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
- Inadequate or incorrect child restraints
Drivers who cause accidents due to negligent behavior can be held accountable for their negligent behavior. Your attorney can establish who is responsible and help you pursue a fair settlement.
Who Was Responsible for Your Child’s Car Accident Injuries?
Establishing fault in a collision ensures that you seek compensation from the correct party. Parties that could be responsible for a child’s car accident injuries include:
- The driver of the other vehicle
- The driver of the vehicle in which the child was a passenger
- The other driver’s employer if they were working at the time of the accident
- The vehicle manufacturer if the accident was due to a defective part
- The city or other municipality responsible for road maintenance and repairs
When your child suffers injuries in a car accident, you should not have to pay for the medical expenses and other costs. A personal injury lawyer can help you seek compensation for your and your child’s injuries.
What is the Extent and Severity of Your Child’s Injuries?
Motor vehicle accidents are especially dangerous to children, whose brains are still developing. In an accident, a child could suffer:
- Whiplash, neck, and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Broken bones
- Sprains, strains, and other soft tissue damage
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Loss of limb
- Spinal damage and paralysis
A child who experiences serious injuries in a car accident could be affected for the rest of their life. Studies show that children injured in car accidents are more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. They may also experience cognitive issues and developmental delays. In some cases, permanent disabilities may result.
Which Car Accident Damages Can I Pursue for My Child?
You can seek compensation from the responsible party and their insurance company if you or your child were injured in a motor vehicle accident. While the value of your claim will differ depending on the facts of the accident, you could pursue:
- Hospital bills, surgical costs, and other medical expenses
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income, both present and future
- Reduced future income capacity
- Assistive equipment and other medical devices
- Psychological therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety
Wrongful Death Claims Following a Child Car Accident
If your child passed away due to a car accident, you could also pursue damages through a wrongful death lawsuit, including:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical expenses for treatment before they passed
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
The effects of a child’s injury or death cannot be mitigated by a financial settlement or jury award. However, seeking compensation does let you hold the responsible parties accountable and reduces the financial challenges you face.
You and Your Child Deserve Justice and Fair Compensation After a Car Accident
When your child is injured in a car accident, you may face significant challenges during treatment and recovery. You may miss work or lose future career opportunities because you must care for your injured child. The costs associated with both short- and long-term medical treatment can be high. You should not have to face these challenges on your own.
A car accident attorney in Massachusetts and Florida can help you understand your legal rights after a collision involving a child. While you focus on your child’s health and well-being, your lawyer can:
- Compile evidence to prove responsibility for your child’s injuries
- Gather medical records and other documentation to establish the extent and severity of those injuries
- Handle phone calls and correspondence regarding your injury claims
- Submit claims to the responsible parties and their insurance carriers
- File a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault parties if necessary
Do I Need an Attorney to File a Child Car Accident Claim?
Although you can file an insurance claim or lawsuit without legal representation, an attorney can be an invaluable ally. Car accident lawyers in Boca Raton, Florida know the local laws and statutes. They can negotiate settlements with insurance companies and defend your legal right to justice and fair compensation for your child’s injuries.
Rather than spending your time negotiating with difficult insurance representatives and aggressive legal representatives, you can focus on your and your child’s recovery.
Contact the Car Accident Attorneys at GED Lawyers for a Free Consultation
When your child suffers injuries in a car accident in Florida, you have a legal right to pursue compensation for their injuries. A negligent or reckless driver should face consequences for the actions that caused damage to your child’s health and quality of life. The compassionate car accident lawyers at GED Lawyers can help you seek the compensation and justice you and your child deserve.
Contact our attorneys today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your potential settlement for a child in a car accident.
