Does Your Child Have a Head Injury After an Accident?

It can be devastating when a child is involved in a car accident. If the other driver caused the accident, it's easy for parents to feel anger at the other driver and the entire situation. However, taking things into your own hands is not advisable for many reasons. Rather, follow the below advice and make moves that will help ensure the other driver pays in another way — financially.

Head Injuries in Children

Regardless of age, a head injury can be difficult to diagnose and deal with. It can be hard to know how severe the injury is, or even if an injury has occurred in some cases. When it comes to children, things can be even more problematic because children may not be able to properly communicate the extent of the problems.

Signs of Head Trauma

If you had no idea that your child was injured in an accident, watch out for these signs of head trauma and seek medical attention immediately:

• Speech difficulties.
• Vision disturbances.
• Balance problems.
• Crying for no apparent reason.
• Sleeping and eating changes.

And anything else unusual with your child's behavior or health.

What to Do

If your child has suffered head trauma after an accident, seek medical help and keep up with all the paperwork. In addition, take these steps:

1. Don't speak to the other driver, their insurer, or their lawyer. Speak only to your own insurance company.
2. You can be paid for several forms of damages on behalf of your child. That includes medical expenses, lost wages (from the parent's job), pain suffering on behalf of your child, and more.
3. Contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They will ensure that the evidence for a claim is gathered right away and that the other side is put on notice of your intention to seek damages.
4. In the case of head trauma, the full extent of the damage may not be known for quite some time. It takes time to know, therefore, how much you are owed. Don't be tempted to settle the case too soon. Wait until your personal injury lawyer has determined that your child's injury has reached a point of maximum medical improvement. That means the injury is not expected to get any worse or any better.

To find out more about dealing with a child's head trauma case after a vehicle accident, speak to a personal injury lawyer. A firm such as Jarvis, McArthur & Williams can provide more information.