Children are particularly vulnerable to these injuries in a car accident

As a parent, you likely spend a great deal of time transporting your child back-and-forth between different extracurricular activities during the school year. You may become a lot busier carpooling your child to different places during the summer, whether it’s to camp, a park, a pool or somewhere else.

You are likely fully aware that it’s inherently dangerous anytime you get behind the wheel of a car. Your kids, in particular, are vulnerable to suffering certain life-altering injuries if an accident does occur.

Most common car accident injuries among children

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) data shows that children often suffer internal organ damage and chest or head injuries, including concussions, in automobile accidents.

DOT data reveals that the likelihood of a child suffering a particular injury is contingent on their age. Children under one year of age are most apt to suffer a concussion in a crash. Older kids are more vulnerable to suffering cuts, bruises or skull fractures in similar incidents.

The type of crash and where the child is in the vehicle are also significant factors. Children are twice as likely to suffer injuries in a front-end or side-collision crash if the child is in the front seat instead of a back seat.

DOT data also indicates that rollover crashes are particularly dangerous for children. Children involved in rollover crashes face 10 times the risk of suffering incapacitating injuries than they would if they were involved in any other type of crash.

While these statistics may not be surprising, it is important to remember that children are still developing mentally and physically, and kids may be particularly vulnerable to disfiguring injuries or head injuries that have long-term effects.

What should you do after a car accident?

It is always important for you and your child to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident. Even if neither one of you has visible wounds or is showing signs of distress, a doctor can help determine whether you or your child has suffered internal injuries.

You may also be able to obtain the financial compensation you need to cover medical bills and other expenses resulting from a crash. To learn more about that, please see our Car Accident FAQ.