Car accidents can be terrifying for even the adults involved, but when children are present, the emotional distress they feel can be overwhelming and hard to understand, whether they were physically harmed or not.
If you’re wondering if a child can have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) symptoms, the answer is yes. And oftentimes they come on later than you may expect. Today we’re going to tell you how you can identify PTSD in your child and what to do once it’s been discovered.
Immediately following a car accident where a child is involved, the child should be taken to an emergency room or walk-in clinic to be checked for physical harm- that probably goes without saying.
However, what can easily get overlooked is how the child is dealing with the accident mentally and emotionally. Symptoms may sneak up on you (and the child) and can come out in several different ways:
• Nightmares
• Loss of confidence
• Anxiety and fear
• Crying
• Clinginess to parents/loved ones
• And many more
If your child is not getting better emotionally and showing signs that are out of the ordinary, it’s important that you get the child to his/her pediatrician or a doctor specific to handling emotional stress in children.
Note that even small accidents where no one was hurt, may cause stress in a child. The loud noises, what they witness, and the feeling of loss of control can weigh heavily on kids, causing depression and insecurities. If the child saw someone get hurt, that can have a long-lasting effect on them.
The sooner you get the child in front of a doctor, the better.
Depending on the child’s age, there are a few things you can keep your eye on that we’ll list below, and you can also get valuable information at The National Child Traumatic Stress Network that will help guide you.
5 and under: Reverting to past behavior patterns such as bedwetting and thumb sucking, feeling anxious in the dark, scared to be alone or without a parent/loved one
6-11: Withdrawing, sleep issues including nightmares, being disruptive both at school and home, unable to focus, anxiety, physical complaints like bellyaches and headaches.
12-17: Sleep issues including nightmares, issues at school including a slip in grades and a rise in truancy, behavior issues, depression, anxiety, physical complaints like bellyaches and headaches, issues with friends or family members, engaging in risk-taking.
Once you notice these symptoms, take your child to a doctor so you can make the appropriate decisions on how to handle the newfound issues. Your doctor will be able to create a plan to best suit your child’s needs.
While it’s difficult for any parent or loved one to see their child suffering, it’s important that you know how to reassure the child, allowing them to have the feelings they need to, and knowing that you will be there for support and comfort.
You can find insightful resources to help advise you on how to cater to a child suffering from PTSD online or contact your pediatrician for references.
Your child may be reliving the event internally and you’ll want to find out how to help them move through it as efficiently as possible.
Some things you can do immediately to help your child include:
• Showing the child he/she is safe
• Letting the child speak freely about what happened and what he/she is feeling
• Getting things back to a normal routine
• Providing more love and care
• Taking care of your own feelings and emotions
After your child is in an accident, it’s super important to take them to a doctor to have them checked for physical injury. You should do this straight away, as you may not be able to see how the child was physically injured.
Be vigilant in following all of the medical advice you receive.
Look for signs of PTSD and be aware that those signs may not come up for months after the car accident. Should you see the signs, get your child to a doctor so he/she gets the proper treatment as soon as possible. Take full advantage of the resources to help you, your child, and the rest of the family get through the trauma.
Check with your car insurance to see if you have medical coverage for the physical and emotional treatment of your child. In most cases, this is covered under the personal injury protection (PIP) portion of your car insurance, no matter who’s at fault. If the PIP runs out and your child needs continued help, contact your medical insurance provider right away.
We’d like to note that your child should always be in the appropriate car seat for his/her age. Car seats, when used and installed correctly, are proven to reduce the risk of death and physical injury.
Many parents and caregivers believe their car seats are installed correctly; however, studies have shown that many times they’re not. You can find local resources to help with installation by searching here.
Northglenn personal injury law firms see far too many victims due to car accidents and it’s especially difficult when children are involved. If you have any questions or concerns about your car accident and its effects on your child, call Hull & Zimmerman today. Proudly serving North Denver, Northglenn, Westminster, Thornton, Commerce City, Arvada and Broomfield.
If you or someone you love has been injured in any type of accident in Northglenn, Thornton, or anywhere in Colorado, and you believe someone else’s negligence is to blame, it is important to contact our experienced personal injury attorneys immediately. At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., our committed personal injury lawyers are dedicated to the belief that everyone deserves justice. Contact us at (303) 423-1770 or (866) 385-3505.
At Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., we are honored to help accident victims in their time of need, and take our responsibility as personal injury lawyers incredibly seriously. We know how important it is for victims to secure the full and fair compensation they need following a serious accident, and that is why we take a hands-on, personalized approach to every case we handle.
awarded to a woman who was a victim of a car crash. The woman was driving the highway when the other driver approaching from the opposite direction lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center line and hit her head on. She suffered multiple broken bones, including her hip, pelvis, leg, and right arm. She missed several years of work as a result of her injuries. Read More
awarded to a woman who was the victim of a t-bone car crash. The client suffered multiple injuries. The most significant of which was a head injury. While she was ultimately able to return to work on a part-time basis, Plaintiff was never able to return to work on a full-time basis. Read More
settlement awarded to a lady who suffered a head injury. She slipped and fell in a slanted parking lot at her place of employment. Evidence demonstrated that the owner of the building had constructed a fence shading the parking lot such that ice was allowed to continuously accumulate during the winter months. Multiple people had fallen on the ice prior to the client’s fall. As a result of her injuries, Plaintiff was forced to take early retirement. Read More
awarded to a man whose vehicle was hit from behind by a semi. The injured party suffered back pain and rotator cuff tears in each shoulder and was forced to retire from his job doing road repair four years earlier. Read More
settlement (policy limits) awarded to a young man who lost his eye when another child shot an arrow into the air. Read More
settlement obtained for a man who was injured in a rear end automobile accident. He suffered a herniated disc in his low back which was not well resolved by surgery forcing him to leave his employment as an apartment maintenance manager. Read More
awarded to a gentleman in association with a workman’s compensation case. He initially sustained a head injury at work when attacked by a patient. Several years later, his condition worsened resulting in his inability to return to work in his usual job. Read More
settlement achieved in a legal malpractice case. The client initially suffered a herniated disc in her neck in association with an automobile accident. The attorney failed to file the lawsuit in a timely manner and the Plaintiff was initially denied her ability to achieve any monies from the original lawsuit. Read More
settlement awarded to a man who was a victim of an automobile accident. Plaintiff was a passenger who was rear-ended by another driver. Following the accident, he suffered a long term back injury. Read More
settlement awarded to a lady who aggravated a pre-existing back condition when she slipped and fell at the entrance to a casino. Read More
awarded to a woman who suffered a rotator cuff tear from an automobile accident. Read More
$1,250,000.00 –awarded to a woman who was a victim of a car crash. The woman was driving the highway when the other driver approaching from the opposite direction lost control of his vehicle, crossed the center line and hit her head on. She suffered multiple broken bones, including her hip, pelvis, leg, and right arm. She missed several years of work as a result of her injuries.
$1,200.000.00 –awarded to a woman who was the victim of a t-bone car crash. The client suffered multiple injuries. The most significant of which was a head injury. While she was ultimately able to return to work on a part-time basis, Plaintiff was never able to return to work on a full-time basis.
$450,000.00 –settlement awarded to a lady who suffered a head injury. She slipped and fell in a slanted parking lot at her place of employment. Evidence demonstrated that the owner of the building had constructed a fence shading the parking lot such that ice was allowed to continuously accumulate during the winter months. Multiple people had fallen on the ice prior to the client’s fall. As a result of her injuries, Plaintiff was forced to take early retirement.
$425,000 –awarded to a man whose vehicle was hit from behind by a semi. The injured party suffered back pain and rotator cuff tears in each shoulder and was forced to retire from his job doing road repair four years earlier.
$300,000.00 –settlement (policy limits) awarded to a young man who lost his eye when another child shot an arrow into the air.
$300,000.00 –settlement obtained for a man who was injured in a rear end automobile accident. He suffered a herniated disc in his low back which was not well resolved by surgery forcing him to leave his employment as an apartment maintenance manager.
$250,000.00 –awarded to a gentleman in association with a workman’s compensation case. He initially sustained a head injury at work when attacked by a patient. Several years later, his condition worsened resulting in his inability to return to work in his usual job.
$250,000.00 –settlement achieved in a legal malpractice case. The client initially suffered a herniated disc in her neck in association with an automobile accident. The attorney failed to file the lawsuit in a timely manner and the Plaintiff was initially denied her ability to achieve any monies from the original lawsuit.
$150,000.00 –settlement awarded to a man who was a victim of an automobile accident. Plaintiff was a passenger who was rear-ended by another driver. Following the accident, he suffered a long term back injury.
$125,000.00 –settlement awarded to a lady who aggravated a pre-existing back condition when she slipped and fell at the entrance to a casino.
$75,000.00 –awarded to a woman who suffered a rotator cuff tear from an automobile accident.
Easy
to talk to. They made my experience very comfortable through my whole journey.
My heartfelt gratitude goes out to the whole staff at Hull & Zimmerman. Thank
you
- 
– R. Hamilton
I
would just like to send a “thank you” to you and your staff. You have been the
most professional and efficient law office if have ever dealt with. I will
continue to tell people about the wonderful job you have done for me and my
family. Mr. Zimmerman you are the most professional lawyer and I truly
appreciate all you have done. Again Thank you
– D. Hassoun
would
just like to send a “thank you” to you and your staff. You have been the most
professional and efficient law office if have ever dealt with. I will continue
to tell people about the wonderful job you have done for me and my family. Mr.
Zimmerman you are the most professional lawyer and I truly appreciate all you
have done. Again Thank you.
– Jason B.
I was
injured in a fall and the nightmare began. I found Mike Zimmerman on the
internet, read his background history and contacted his office. The Office Staff
was wonderful, patient, and helpful, even though I was probably a pain to them.
Mike is a no nonsense kind of guy. He will tell you exactly what he feels about
your case and will not sugar coat it. You will know exactly what to expect and I
appreciated the honesty! I would recommend Mike to anyone who has their life
spinning out of control because of an accident. He help me get my life back.
– Mary T.
Working through divorce and custody issues is an extremely difficult and
emotionally trying experience. Mike Zimmerman represented my interest in a
highly professional manner and protected my rights as a parent at a level that
exceeded my highest expectations. This firm’s expertise, ability and
professionalism earned my respect as well as my continued business for any legal
issues I encounter in the future.
– Michael D.
We
came across mike Zimmerman when we were involved in an accident awhile back, we
had been negotiating with the insurance company for some time and getting
nowhere with a settlement. Never knowing Mike Zimmerman when we had gone and
seen him it really surprised us that he made us feel right at home and that he
was really concerned for his clients. Mike was very upfront with us a our
lawyer, and advised us every step of the way. His associates were very
professional and office personnel was very friendly also. Mike got almost double
the settlement we were expecting and we just were very satisfied and would
highly recommend him to anyone that needs a good honest lawyer.
– Clarencec & Joy W.
We
were hit by an uninsured driver in 2006 and my husband was unable to work for
some time. Initially our own insurance really didn’t want to help us. On the
recommendation of a friend, we contacted Mr. Z and with his advice, suggestions
and hard work, we were able to get the what we needed from our insurance to help
us with our bills and medical costs. His staff was very patient with us as well
and was always available to reassure us and to answer our questions. We hope
nothing like this ever happens again, but if it was to happen, we would contact
Mr Zimmerman in a heart beat.
– G. & B O.
Rick –
Smart and nice! We were nervous and Rick put us at ease. Kept us informed. Never
thought we made a bad choice. Also, the first time I called, I talked to
Rick…impressed us very much.
– D. & S. Bratrovsky
Exceeded expectations!
– T. Thiel
I
liked the fact that I was kept up to date throughout the process. When the
accident first happened, Rick went to bat for me right away to make sure that I
was compensated for my loss of transportation. The end result in my case
exceeded my expectations and I was very pleased.
– D. Hughley
I
appreciated the effort Rick Hull presented during the difficulties that occurred
throughout the settlement and following. I felt completely at ease during the
whole process.
– Michele Wolf
I
appreciated the fact that Rick Hull always explained everything to me. No matter
how insignificant I thought the question was, he encouraged me to ask and was
very patient when I didn’t understand some aspect of the legal procedures. I
also appreciated the fact that Rick was a real person, he wasn’t stiff or
unapproachable. He was easy to talk to, to understand, and get along with. In
addition, he explained certain aspects of Colorado law thoroughly to me so that
I could make an informed decision that best suited my needs.
10:00 am
November 15th, 2019