The Legal Mom: Quick Tips To Remember Legally If You And The Kids Are In A Car Accident
There is nothing more terrifying as a mother than being involved in a car accidents with your kids. When you find yourself in that situation, it is a mother’s natural instinct and reaction to immediately respond to your child and identify all probable injuries.
There are a lot of things you must do after a car accident with kids. This includes both legal matters and attending to your child’s welfare. Doing the right things immediately after an automobile accident stops a bad situation from getting worse. It helps assure you and your kids’ welfare, and that your car insurance pays out without a hitch.
Things to Remember Legally After a Car Accident Involving the Kids
Your biggest concern as a parent is your children’s welfare and safety. The potential risk of your child getting badly injured in a car accident is petrifying.
When a third party causes a car accident while you are with your kids, then you have every right to feel worried. But you must never panic. You need to remain calm and collected after an accident so your kids will not feel fear.
Here are some quick tips that you must remember legally when you get involved in a car accident with your kids.
Stop and Call 911
In an automobile accident, the first and important thing to do is assess potential injuries of everyone involved. Calling 911 must be an immediate priority.
- Inform responders of your situation: Make sure you give your location to authorities and confirm that they are on their way. If possible, try moving your vehicle away from traffic, or mark the area with flares or emergency signages to inform other drivers that there has been an accident.
Check on the Children
After handling immediate concerns, check on your kids.
- Don’t move your child: If your kid complains they cannot move, or can’t feel a part of their body, or if they are stuck under a huge object or vehicle, then wait for paramedics to come to their aid. You have no idea what kind of injuries they may already have, and moving them can make it worse.
- Where did the accident happen: If the accident transpired on a rainy day, in a pool, or in a small body of water, make sure the children are not in the water. There is a possibility that children in car seats may be submerged in water, or unable to get themselves out with their constraints.
Try to stay calm, and assure your kids that they are going to be okay while waiting for authorities to arrive.
Gather All Necessary Information While Waiting for Authorities
Authorities will arrive to help you, your kids, and other people involved in the car accident. You are obliged to provide them your personal information including name, address, and contact details. Gather all necessary information including personal information, drivers license, insurance card, and more.
- Discuss information with the culpable driver: Begin exchanging details with the at-fault driver. Then, when the authorities arrive, discuss every detail related to the accident.
- Give details even when other people aren’t involved: Some accidents may also involve crashing into an immobile object or something near the road. When the accident occurred without other people being involved, such as with a parked car, then leave details on the windshield.
- Take photos of the accident: Photographs of the accident can be used as evidence. Take photos of car damages, your injuries, the scene of the accident, and every detail that you can show to authorities.
- Don’t say sorry: Avoid saying sorry, expressing guilt, or accepting blame for the accident. Make sure you know precisely what happened because saying sorry may be used against you.
- Acquire a copy of the report: The police will file a report of the accident. Make sure to acquire a copy of the report when done, before they leave.
It is important to know that car accidents must be reported to authorities within 24 hours. Failure or negligence of doing so may result in penalty points, fines, or even charges or suspended licenses.
Seek Medical Attention
Always seek a doctor’s care after car accidents even if you feel normal, or you and your kids have no visible injuries.
- Seek medical attention for your kids: Kids really need medical attention after an accident, even if the injuries are not visible. A quick doctor visit minimizes the potential for internal injuries and other medical issues.
- Car accident injuries take time to manifest: Internal injuries may not become evident until it is too late. Some injuries on a child that are the most severe are on the head. Thus, it is essential to recognize warning signs as early as possible and know how to help your children overcome traumas after a car accident.
Seek Help from a Personal Injury Lawyer
Car accidents are frightening and sometimes they occur after another driver has been driving recklessly, drunkenly, or distractedly. Always seek a qualified and experienced personal injury lawyer to assess your case and if you are in California look into Glendale California car accident lawyers, as you may be enabled to recover damages. It is difficult to think about, but you and your children can encounter lifelong medical expenses after a car accident. Seek the advice of a lawyer to help you deal with legal and compensation matters.
It’s heartbreaking seeing your kids suffer from car accidents. If you want to get compensated for the damages the accident has caused you and your children, click here to explore your legal options.
Dianna Charles is a promising young law enthusiast who hopes to bring her youthful spirit to her field. She tries to add a refreshingly modern take to topics in the legal world that people can learn from. Dianna enjoys her free time with friends and family and loves to cook for them.
