It's every parent's nightmare to see their child in pain. It’s even worse losing a child. Unfortunately, many children are hit by vehicles every year. Unlike adults, children tend to lack the skills necessary to navigate the busy streets safely when walking around or riding on their bikes. Also, they get distracted easily and pay less attention to their environment. When a child gets hit, they are likely to sustain severe injuries, plus it can also lead to a fatality.
As a parent, you can prevent such fatal incidences by making sure your child obeys road rules when they are walking or riding around. Moreover, you can supervise them by holding their hands when walking around or staying nearby when they are riding their bikes. However, despite taking safety measures, your child can still be hit if a driver is negligent. What should you do when your child is hit by a car? Well, let's delve into the key steps you ought to take:
Request for Emergency Medical Assistance
Any car accident can cause life-threatening injuries depending on the nature of the incident. If the child is in a critical condition and you are there then call for medical help immediately. Depending on the situation, do not move them as it could result in more injury. For minor accidents, take your child to the hospital immediately for medical evaluation even when they seem okay. A medical assessment will help identify injuries like internal bleeding whose signs and symptoms may not be noticed immediately.
Ensure that you keep a record of anything that the doctor says. Moreover, keep copies of medical paperwork like doctor's reports, prescriptions, and medical bills. The documents and the information will help in seeking legal help in case you seek compensation for the accident.
Contact the Police
Contact the police immediately, even if the accident looks minor. They will help you fill out an incident report that will come in handy should anything come up in future. Do not let anyone at the accident scene convince you otherwise. Again, the incident report will be beneficial when you file a claim with insurance companies and act as evidence if you are filing a lawsuit against the driver who hit your child. Remember, some insurance policies might find ways to avoid compensating you if you failed to report the incident to the police fast. Therefore, it is best if you do it immediately.
Take Photos of the Accident Scene
As you wait for the police to arrive, you need to take photographs of the accident scene to help investigate in case the driver decides to take off before the police get to the scene. Moreover, these photos will be evidence in case you file a lawsuit. Take pictures of the vehicle involved, including the license number and insurance information and any damage it sustained, debris and vehicle parts left on the road, street signs around, and signs of the weather condition. Moreover, take photographs of your child's injuries to prove the extent of the injuries to the insurance company or jury in case of a lawsuit.
Collect Information from Witnesses
Talk to any available witnesses at the accident scene. Ask them to give you their names, phone numbers, addresses, and contact information. Ask them to speak to your attorney and police and answer questions related to the assessment of liability. Request them to avail themselves at the law court in case they will be required to act as witnesses in a lawsuit. Also, look around the neighborhood and check if there is a CCTV camera. You can request a copy of the accident crash.
Contact an Attorney
Navigating a personal injury claim can be complicated, and a single misstep can compromise compensation. If your child is hit by a vehicle when riding their bike, chat with a bicycle accident lawyer. The lawyer will ensure that you collect all the necessary facts and information you require to win a lawsuit.
Moreover, the experienced lawyer is more familiar with the law courts and all matters auto accident related claims. They will ensure the ruling is fair, and the settlement amount is adequate to cater for all the damages, pain, suffering, and losses to your child and your family. Also, you can concentrate on other issues like caring for your child as someone works for you.
Wrapping Up
Taking the proper steps after your child has been hit by a car can save their life. Contact the paramedics immediately and get the necessary help. Again, more often than not, the driver or insurance company will blame your child for the crash. Therefore, ensure that you collect as much evidence as possible. Also, talk to a reputable accident lawyer to help fight for your rights.
