What Happens When a Child Is Injured in a Motor Vehicle Accident?
When a child is injured in a car crash, the experience can shake an entire family. Parents are suddenly thrust into a whirlwind of medical decisions, financial pressures, and emotional strain. The physical and emotional toll of a motor vehicle accident involving a child is something no parent is ever truly prepared for.
At Schefman & Associates, PC, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating these moments can be for families. Our Bloomfield Hills, MI child injury lawyer works with parents to protect their children’s well-being, both medically and legally, after serious crashes.
We help families in Oakland County, Wayne County, Macomb County, and Washtenaw County understand their options, manage insurance disputes, and pursue the compensation needed to move forward. Reach out today to get started with a free consultation.
If you have an older child living away from home, or perhaps attending school in Michigan from another state, the state has its own specific no-fault coverage insurance requirements. Call Schefman & Associates. We have people who can give you answers right away.
Immediate Steps After a Child Is Injured
The first moments after a motor vehicle accident are critical. Parents often experience shock, fear, and confusion, but it’s vital to stay focused on safety and documentation. Taking the right steps early helps protect both your child’s health and your legal rights later. These steps include:
Seeking medical attention right away: Even minor symptoms can mask serious internal injuries. A full medical evaluation creates an essential record of the accident’s impact.
Documenting everything: Photos of the scene, police reports, and witness information all strengthen your claim.
Notifying your insurance provider: Reporting the accident quickly helps avoid disputes about timing or coverage.
Avoiding quick settlements: Insurance companies may offer low settlements before the full extent of your child’s injuries is clear. Waiting allows for a more accurate understanding of long-term needs.
Once your child’s immediate health concerns are addressed, the focus shifts toward treatment, recovery, and the legal path forward.
Common Injuries Children Suffer in Crashes
Children are more vulnerable than adults in collisions, even when properly restrained. Their smaller bodies and developing bones make certain injuries more likely and potentially more severe. Recognizing the signs early can prevent long-term complications. Injuries suffered in car accidents include:
Head and brain trauma: Concussions and traumatic brain injuries can occur even in low-speed crashes. Ongoing symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
Neck and spine injuries: Whiplash and spinal damage can interfere with mobility or cause chronic pain as children grow.
Broken bones and fractures: These injuries often require long-term treatment or surgery.
Internal injuries: Organ damage or internal bleeding might not appear immediately, but can be life-threatening without prompt medical care.
Emotional distress: Anxiety, nightmares, or fear of travel are common and should get professional attention as part of the recovery process.
By identifying injuries early and following all medical advice, parents can support both physical and emotional healing.
Determining Liability and Fault
Establishing who’s responsible for a motor vehicle accident is one of the most important legal steps. When a child is injured, parents can file a claim on the child's behalf, seeking compensation for medical bills, future treatment, pain, and emotional suffering.
Liability typically depends on the evidence collected, such as police reports, witness statements, and accident reconstruction. Some common causes of child-injury crashes include:
Distracted driving: Texting or using a phone reduces reaction times.
Speeding or reckless behavior: Driving above the limit increases both the severity and likelihood of collisions.
Failure to yield: Many intersection accidents happen when drivers ignore traffic signals.
Driving under the influence: Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and control.
When liability is unclear, our firm often works with investigators and medical professionals to confirm exactly how the crash occurred. These findings can be critical in pursuing fair compensation.
Compensation Available in Child Injury Cases
Parents often underestimate the long-term financial effects of a child’s accident. Medical expenses can continue for years, especially if surgeries, therapy, or adaptive equipment are required. Commercial property ownership might be impacted if parents must sell or adjust assets to pay bills, further highlighting the importance of pursuing the right claim value.
In cases involving child injuries, compensation may cover:
Medical care and rehabilitation: Hospital stays, physical therapy, and follow-up visits.
Future medical expenses: Ongoing treatment for permanent conditions or disabilities.
Pain and suffering: Physical discomfort and emotional trauma experienced by the child.
Loss of normal life: Limitations that prevent children from participating in age-appropriate activities.
Parental lost wages: Time missed from work while caring for the injured child.
Because each child’s recovery path is different, every settlement or verdict must reflect their unique needs and long-term care.
Working With Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters play a major role in the outcome of a motor vehicle accident case. While they may seem cooperative, their goal is often to minimize payouts. Parents should be careful about what they say during recorded statements, as innocent comments can be used to limit liability. When working through claims, we typically recommend:
Letting your lawyer communicate with the insurer: This prevents misstatements and protects your rights.
Reviewing medical records thoroughly: Insurers may argue that certain injuries aren’t accident-related.
Avoiding early settlements: Quick offers rarely consider long-term costs.
Our firm handles insurance negotiations directly, giving families space to focus on their child’s recovery while we pursue a fair resolution.
Long-Term Impact on Families
Even after physical recovery, a motor vehicle accident can leave deep emotional and financial scars. Children may develop anxiety about travel or struggle academically due to missed school and medical appointments. Parents may face months—or even years—of juggling therapy schedules, financial strain, and emotional exhaustion. Ongoing challenges may include:
Psychological trauma: Counseling or therapy may be needed to address lingering fears.
Financial stress: Continuous medical costs can impact household stability.
Family strain: The need for caregiving can disrupt work, relationships, and daily routines.
These challenges can feel overwhelming, but legal support often helps ease the burden. By securing compensation, families gain the resources they need to focus on recovery rather than financial uncertainty.
How an Attorney Can Help
Legal representation offers clarity during an uncertain time. Our firm’s experience with child injury cases allows us to handle both the legal and logistical elements so families can focus on what matters most—their child’s well-being. When handling a motor vehicle accident case involving a minor, we:
Gather and analyze evidence: Including medical records, police reports, and expert opinions.
Calculate damages accurately: Accounting for both current and future costs.
Negotiate assertively with insurers: To reach fair settlements that reflect the seriousness of the injuries.
Prepare for trial when needed: In rare cases where a settlement isn’t possible, we’re ready to advocate in court.
Each step is handled with sensitivity and dedication, as we know these cases aren’t just about legal outcomes—they’re about restoring a family’s sense of stability.
Contact Our Firm Today
A child’s injury changes everything, but no family has to go through the aftermath alone. At Schefman & Associates, PC, we’re here to guide parents through every stage of recovery and claim management after a motor vehicle accident. We help families pursue justice with compassion, focus, and experience.
Our firm represents clients throughout Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Oakland County, Wayne County, Macomb County, and Washtenaw County. Reach out today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can help your family move forward.
