If you are wondering what happens after a car accident when your child is in the car, you are not alone. Many parents want to know the safest practices when it comes to their child, and the carseat, when in an auto accident. Keeping your baby or toddler in their carseat is critical, as this is the safest place to be since they are restrained and safe from moving traffic around them.
Our team has put together 5 tips for preventing further injury if you are in an accident with your young child. As car accident attorneys at Mitchell & West, LLC in Miami, we see hundreds of car accident victims, young and old, with a variety of stories about their accident—let’s make your story one with as little injury as possible.
Prevent Further Injury Using These 5 Safety Tips
We know how stressful the moments after a car crash can be but taking a minute to assess the situation and injuries, if any, will help you to protect your child. If you are in an accident with a baby or toddler in the car, remember these 5 tips for preventing further injury:
- Call 911: If the accident is anything more than a fender bender, call 911. It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the well being of your child. The EMTs can assess the situation, the status of your baby, and whether his or her injuries warrant a trip to the ER.
- Do no remove your child from the carseat: Keep your child strapped in until examined by trained professionals. Small children may not be able to express if or where something hurts, and you do not want to move your baby if there is a chance of a spinal injury or brain injury. You can move toward your child, if you are physically able, but keep them in the carseat until EMTs arrive. If there is any sign of injury, bring your child to their doctor or to the ER.
- Prevent additional crashes: Move your vehicle from the road if possible or set up cones or flares so that no other vehicles hit your car.
- Watch for symptoms: Make sure that your child is acting, eating, sleeping, and functioning normally after the crash. If you see any signs of change, bring your child into his or her pediatrician for a second evaluation.
- Get a new carseat: If your car is in anything worse than a fender bender, with the carseat in the car, it is recommended that you get a new carseat, so it can provide the maximum protection available without malfunction.
Following these tips for carseat and child safety might save your child from significant injury and save you from the pain of seeing your child hurt. Don’t risk making things worse—let first responders make the decisions about your child for you when it comes to car accidents.
Contact Our Team for Legal Counsel
If you are in an accident, and your child is injured, your next step is to speak with an experienced attorney about what the next step is in seeking compensation for you and your child’s injuries. You will most likely need to take time off work to care for your child and go to doctor visits, as well as pay for medical appointments, hospital stays, and any other expenses. When you need compensation, you need a qualified attorney from our team.
Need help after a crash? Call us today!
(305) 783-3301