The average settlement for a child injured in a car accident depends on many factors. It’s challenging to calculate an average since the outcomes in these cases vary greatly. The value of the claim will depend on the extent of your child’s injuries, the facts of the case, and other details.
Many families choose to work with a personal injury law firm to navigate the claims process and represent their child’s best interests. An attorney fights for justice based on the facts of the accident case, seeking a fair settlement from the at-fault driver.
The Role of Fault and Liability in Your Car Accident Claim
Pursuing damages for your child who suffered injuries in a traffic collision is not always easy. Working with a personal injury law firm could help you build a case and seek justice for your child. An attorney knows the necessary evidence to prove fault, liability, and the value of your child’s case.
If you were behind the wheel when the crash occurred, you would need to show that another driver caused the crash. You might not recover compensation on your child’s behalf if you, the child’s other parent, or another driver in your immediate family caused the crash.
In some cases, shared fault will bar you from financial recovery or limit the payout you can collect for your child. How shared fault affects your chances depends greatly on state law and the factors of the case.
What If My Child Was Riding with Someone Else?
If your child was hurt while in a vehicle driven by someone outside your immediate family, it is possible to seek compensation through an insurance claim or civil lawsuit regardless of fault. You have the option of suing the driver who caused the crash, regardless of whether it was the motorist driving your child or another vehicle involved in the accident.
Other Expenses that Could Affect the Value of the Case
When a child is hurt in a crash, their medical bills are just one of the recoverable damages. Others include the pain and suffering they endured, compensation for long-term conditions they may suffer, future medical care needs, and more.
There are often miscellaneous expenses as well. For example, you could recover property damages if your child’s eyeglasses or other property broke in the collision. There could also be expenses related to building ramps or updating your home due to new mobility concerns or other medical needs.
You will need to consider all the related expenses when you place a fair settlement value on your claim.
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Can an Attorney Help My Family Secure a Fair Settlement for My Child’s Injuries?
Car accident lawyers handle insurance claims for families whose children are hurt in a crash. They often provide free case reviews and work based on contingency. These firms take the necessary steps to build support for the claim, including putting an appropriate settlement value on the case.
The attorney then files the claim and demands a fair payout from the at-fault driver. If they or their insurer refuses, a lawsuit may be necessary.
Deadlines in the Gulf South states vary from one year in Louisiana (La. Civ. Code Art. 3492) to two years in Alabama (Ala. Code § 6-2-38) and three years in Arkansas (Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105) or Mississippi (Miss. Code Ann. § 15-1-49). Circumstances could reduce the time you have even further, so get started as soon as possible.
Injuries Commonly Suffered By Children in Car Accidents
A 2010 report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that the most common traumatic injuries children under age eight suffer in crashes are head injuries such as:
- Concussions
- Contusions or abrasions
- Skull fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
A significant blow to the head or other trauma that affects the brain could cause temporary, long-term, or permanent damage. A severe TBI affects a child physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially.
Other injuries children suffer in crashes include:
- Chest injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Fractures, often to the ribs or limbs
- Cuts, abrasions, and contusions, often from broken glass
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Morris Bart, LLC Fights for Justice for Families Like Yours
The attorneys from the Morris Bart law office near you will review your case for free and explain your options for compensation based on your child’s injuries. We are a contingency-fee firm with 15 locations. We serve clients in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas. We are here for your family.
Call (800) 537-8185 today to talk to an attorney about your case for free.
Questions?Call (800) 537-8185
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
