While a car crash can be dangerous for anyone, these accidents can be particularly serious events for children. A single accident can change the course of your child’s life, often requiring them to face years of pain and suffering and even limiting their long-term opportunities. The following are only some examples of serious injuries to children in car accidents and how they may affect a child’s future.
Growth Plate Fractures
Young bones are often more resilient than adult bones, and many types of fractures may heal with a cast and little more. However, children may fracture their growth plates at the end of their bones, which can have serious complications. Growth plates regulate how your child’s bones will continue to grow, and damage to the growth plate can delay or hinder the future growth of that particular bone. Many growth plate fractures require surgery – or multiple surgeries – to ensure proper bone growth, so many victims face years of painful medical treatment and recovery time, as well as limited physical activity.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Children can often suffer head trauma in car accidents, which can lead to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs are serious for anyone, but since a child’s brain is still developing, damage to the brain tissue can be particularly severe. Many cognitive, physical, sensory, and behavioral functions may be impaired – often, permanently. Children with TBIs may need special accommodations at school, and they may not be able to thrive educationally or professionally as they otherwise would have been able to.
Spinal Cord Injury
When a child suffers damage to the spinal cord, it can have serious effects, including permanent paralysis. A complete spinal cord injury will paralyze a victim below the point of the injury, so victims rarely ever walk again. Needless to say, permanent paralysis will completely change your child’s life, and they will need to depend on wheelchairs, accommodations, and special equipment for the rest of their lives. Their disabilities can affect and change almost every aspect of their lives.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Mental trauma following a car crash is common, especially for children. Mental conditions such as PTSD can manifest differently in children than in adults, and they may suffer many different symptoms, including:
- Nightmares
- Bedwetting
- Fear of darkness
- Separation anxiety
- Angry outbursts
- Decreased performance at school
- Headaches
- Social changes
- Fear of riding in or operating cars
Even with treatment, PTSD can have lasting effects on a child, and may completely change their school or social situations.
Contact Our San Francisco Car Accident Lawyers for Assistance
If your child suffered injuries in a crash in the Bay Area, you should discuss your legal options with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as you can. Cases involving children can have particular legal issues, and you want the right law firm on your side. The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc. regularly helps clients in and around San Francisco, Vacaville, Discovery Bay, and Santa Rosa, CA. If you would like to discuss a possible claim, please call (415) 851-6486 or contact us online to set up your free consultation.
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