What Should I Do If My Child Was Injured in a Car Accident in Georgia?

In 2019, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 91,000 children under 12 were injured in car accidents. Sadly, many of these children suffered physical and mental damage. If your child was injured in a car accident, it is your job as the parent to promote healing and show your support.

When it comes to the legal side of things, that's our job. Let us help you get justice for your child's injury. Call 770-214-2500 for a free consultation.

Seek Immediate Medical Treatment

If a child is injured in a car accident, they may be reluctant or unable to communicate that they have suffered an injury. Seeking immediate medical treatment, even for what may seem to be minor injuries, is extremely important to help your child recover from an accident. When seeking compensation for a child's injuries, it is vital to have a medical professional address and record the injuries.

Encourage Kids Through Physical Therapy

Depending on the extent of your child's physical injuries, recovery from a given accident may require months of hard work. Accompany your child to physical therapy appointments, and encourage them to follow through with suggested stretches and exercises when home. Your child may be initially reluctant to stick with these exercises; your encouragement can promote full accountability and lead to significant gains in mobility and overall rehabilitation.

Monitor the Mental Health of Children Injured in Georgia Car Accidents

Working with a therapist is recommended for all children injured in Georgia car accidents. In addition, keep an eye out for symptoms including withdrawal from friends, a loss of interest in favorite activities, sudden weight loss/gain, changes in sleep patterns, or anxiety. Children aren't always equipt to handle the big feeling surrounding a traumatic event. While they may seem fine, trauma and mental illness can present themselves in strange ways among children. Consulting with a professional can help you and your child handle these feelings healthily.

Work With a Therapist

The stress of a car accident can follow children for several months or even years. Their best bet for moving on does not involve repressing stress or anxiety but working with a therapist or psychologist to get into a healthier mindset. Your child's therapist will encourage healthy outlets for stress and serve as a valuable advocate for your child's mental health. Many children injured in Georgia car accidents, while unable to participate in conventional talk therapy, can engage in play therapy, art therapy, and music therapy with a licensed professional. Through these tools, the child's therapist can determine what steps to take to ensure your child's best mental health outcome.

Let Kids Express Themselves After a Georgia Car Accident

Not all kids are willing or able to express their feelings to their parents or therapists adequately. Sometimes, music or visual art is more effective. Therefore, give your children numerous opportunities to express their feelings through various means, including music and artwork.

As a parent, you can profoundly impact your child's recovery. If medical bills prevent your child from obtaining the complete care they deserve, get in touch with Smith, Wallis & Scott, LLP, to learn more about your options.

Juggling Duties After Your Georgia Car Accident

While you are recuperating from an accident, life goes on, and the expenses and obligations stack up. In addition to taking care of your child during this challenging time, you also may have sustained some injuries and must take care of yourself. You and your child's medical bills are mounting, you may have missed work, your car is history (or at least damaged), and you must deal with the insurance company. In addition, you can't work without being in pain, and you may need to care for your other dependents during this stressful period.

Taking Stock and Prioritizing

Worrying about the future hampers your ability to get better, which is your primary focus. Focusing on recovery is hard if you don't have someone to care for your and your family's needs. Reach out to family and friends. If you belong to a church, you may be pleasantly surprised by the help offered. If a family member or a boss contends that you're not that hurt – hard to believe, but it happens – ask your doctor to set them straight.

The initial route for finding good child or pet care is to ask family and friends, but if they can't help you, don't despair. If you are active on social media and your town has a local Facebook page, ask for recommendations for such services. In a worst-case scenario, you can board your pets at a local kennel or veterinary practice. If finding an at-home babysitter is a problem, your children may have to go into daycare temporarily or extended after-school care. Finally, speak to the providers regarding transportation. Another parent could pick up and drop off your children, or neighbors could help you.

Pace Yourself After Your Georgia Car Accident

You want to get better, return to work and ensure your children's welfare. You may feel pressure from your company about deadlines and projects on which you worked. See if you can work on some projects from home – if you are up to it. You aren't doing yourself or your employer any favors if such tasks are beyond you.

After a severe injury, it can take a long time to assess how badly you were hurt fully. The insurance company wants you to settle immediately – they are interested in their bottom line. Do not sign any agreements with the insurance company. Georgia law generally allows victims two years to file a lawsuit, so you have plenty of time to determine the extent of your accident-related disabilities. Ongoing rehabilitation may be necessary. The accident may have affected your ability to return to your job or earning capacity. Bear in mind that, depending on circumstances, you may be able to seek compensation for child care expenses or pet care costs you incurred while recovering.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, please call the experienced attorneys at Smith Wallis and Scott, LLP, at 770-214-2500 for a private consultation or explore more at swslawfirm.com.