Houston’s highways are well-known for being dangerous. Accidents happen all the time, but what if your child is hurt in one?
Car accidents are dangerous for adults. However, they are even more dangerous for children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death for children under the age of 12 in 2018. (CDC). The statistics show that over 97,000 children under the age of 12 were injured in auto accidents.
If your child has been injured in a car accident, contact a Houston personal injury lawyer right away.
Car Accidents Involving Children in Houston
Car crashes involving children often involve much more serious injuries due to their size and vulnerability. According to studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the following are some of the most common injuries sustained by children in car accidents:
- Head. Concussions, traumatic brain injuries, fractures
- Chest. Rib fractures, lung punctures, internal bleeding
- Skin. Cuts and scrapes
- Bones. Hand, feet, arms, pelvis
- Neck. Whiplash
- Spine. Spinal cord, nerve damage
- Mental. Post-traumatic distress syndrome, depression
Children who are properly restrained with seatbelts or safety seats have a lower risk of serious injury or death. Even with such safeguards in place, car accidents can cause serious injury to children.
Furthermore, there are significant differences in injuries suffered by children. Because a child is still growing, treatment for a broken bone in a child may require multiple surgeries. Such factors should be considered in your compensation claim.
Filing a Lawsuit for a Minor
In Texas, no one under the age of 18 can file a personal injury claim. You must decide whether to seek compensation for your child’s injuries if he or she is injured in a car accident. You may be able to sue for damages if your child was injured due to someone else’s negligence.
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim under Texas law. If you choose not to pursue compensation on your child’s behalf, the child has two years after reaching the age of 18 to do so. Keep in mind, however, that proving the claim may become more difficult as time passes.
Your child may be eligible for the following:
- Medical bills
- Future medical treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Costs of any disability
- Potential loss of earning capacity
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Property damage
- Court costs
When a child’s parents receive a settlement for injuries sustained in a car accident, the money must be used to care for the child. The money may be put into a court registry account or a court-approved annuity account, depending on the size of the settlement.
Discuss your case with a qualified Houston auto accident lawyer if you or a loved one has been injured in a collision.
Car Crash Lawyers in Houston
There are many ways you or a loved one can be injured following a car crash, and you should never pursue a personal injury claim without the help of a Houston personal injury lawyer. West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD is here to help you obtain fair compensation after being injured in an accident. We have been fighting for the rights of victims since 2003, and we will make sure you get the maximum settlement.
Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD and Nader Rabie, JD are here to help you make a complete recovery after a severe car accident.
Contact our law offices immediately at (713) 840-7200 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation if you or a loved one has been unfairly injured by another party.
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