Average Settlement for a Child in a Car Accident

A car accident is a horrific experience, mainly if a child is involved. This is why you will rush to save a child first before anyone else in a vehicle crash. And despite efforts to curb vehicle accidents, they still happen every day on our roads, claiming innocent lives and leaving victims injured, distressed, and unable to live a normal life.

Truth be told, no amount of money can compensate for a lost arm or an emotional trauma resulting from a car accident. Nevertheless, you deserve some form of compensation for the damages and losses.

But now, what’s the average settlement for a child in a car accident? Honestly, there’s none. It all depends on multiple factors and circumstances, which we will discuss in this post.

Factors That Dictate the Settlement Amount for a Child in a Car Accident

No accident is similar. The same applies to consequences such as injuries and damages. Therefore, you can’t tell the exact compensation your child will receive after a car accident.

However, various factors are used to calculate the settlement amounts, including:

The severity of Your Child’s Injuries

Your child can come out of an accident without harm or injury, but this is rare. But sometimes, your child could suffer severe injuries. Therefore, the severity of your child’s injuries after a car accident is crucial to determining the settlement amount.

Generally, compensation for severe injuries requiring long-term medical care, doctor visits, and physical therapy will be more.

Common examples of injuries that could raise the settlement amount for a child in a car accident include:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Nerve damage
• Spinal cord trauma
• Whiplash, neck and back injuries
• Torn ligaments
• Sprains and strains
• Loss of limb
• Internal injuries and organ damage

Medical records and expert opinions will be needed to assess the long-term impact of injuries on your child’s health and well-being.

Long-Term Medical Costs

Some car accident injuries take little time to heal completely, perhaps one or two months. Others take years or even a lifetime.

Additionally, some injuries require consistent long-term care and doctor visits.

Therefore, when calculating settlement for a child involved in a car accident, you must consider the expected future medical expenses, including ongoing treatments, rehabilitation, and potential surgeries.

But how can you estimate your child’s future healthcare needs? You can work with a medical professional and an experienced attorney to help you calculate the correct figures.

Emotional Distress

A car accident can have a significant psychological impact on your child. Many vehicle accident victims experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and emotional distress. This can have a negative influence on their school performance and overall development.

As a result, your child may need therapeutic interventions and counseling services to overcome emotional distress.

Therefore, during the settlement negotiations, the impact of the accident on your child’s mental health is also considered. The cost of mental health counseling and other related services will be added to the settlement amount for your child.

Loss of Enjoyment

Sometimes, injuries from a car accident may limit your child from engaging in activities they once enjoyed. It can be temporary or permanent, depending on the extent of the injuries. As a result, your child’s quality of life is affected significantly.

Therefore, when calculating the settlement amount, you must consider your child’s loss of enjoyment of life and diminished life experiences.

The Cost of Your Financial Damages

Often, you’ll lose a lot while taking care of your child. For instance, there’s no way you’ll report to work leaving your child lying on the hospital bed. You must be there to take good care of them.

Your financial losses will add value to the settlement claim. They include:

• Lost wages: These are damages from missed time from work due to the accident. You deserve compensation if you miss work to care for your child.
• Medical bills: If you paid your child’s medical bills out of your pocket, the amount must be included in the settlement amount.
• Loss of future earning capacity: You may be forced to take a low-paying job due to your child’s condition. In most cases, you want a job that allows you to care for your child and see them more often. If it happens, you may be compensated for losing your future earning capacity.
• Property damage: If your vehicle got hit in the accident and needs repairs or replacement, the settlement amount will include this expense.

How to Maximize Settlement For a Child in a Car Accident

It’s never a wish for your child to get involved in an accident so that you can claim compensation. However, when the unfortunate happens, you want to ensure you get fair compensation for all the damages.

Here are some tips to help you maximize the settlement amount for your child:

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Immediately your child gets involved in an accident; you must ensure they receive urgent medical attention from qualified professionals. The doctors will assess the injuries (if any) and commence treatment to save the child’s life.

For the settlement, they’ll help you document all the injuries and treatment, which is critical for building a strong case.

Document All Expenses

Any expense you incur on your child after a car accident must be well-recorded for settlement. This includes medical bills, therapy expenses, rehabilitation, and other related expenditures.

A clear financial picture will help you strengthen your case during settlement negotiations.

Court Approval

Ensure you obtain court approval for the settlement to ensure it’s in the best interest of the child. Remember, minors cannot legally sign contracts or enter into agreements, including settlement agreements.

Therefore, the court serves your child’s best interests and adds an extra layer of protection.

Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

An experienced attorney can help you increase the settlement amount for a child in a car accident. They’ll interview witnesses, calculate your damages, gather enough evidence, and file a claim or lawsuit. They’ll also negotiate on your behalf while you focus on what’s most important: taking care of your child.

However, ensure you choose an attorney with expertise in child injury cases and a successful track record.

Contact Our Experienced Attorneys Today

Has your child been in a car accident and suffered severe injuries? They deserve a fair settlement. 

But since each circumstance is different, we cannot put a figure on the amount of settlement you can get for your child. However, factors like the severity of the injuries and the need for long-term care will influence the settlement.

Need help getting a fair settlement for your child? We are here to help you. Talk to us today.