Should I get my kids checked by a doctor after a car accident?
Accidents and injuries can happen anywhere, anytime. It is traumatic enough when you yourself are involved. However, when you are a parent and it is your precious child who has been harmed, all common sense and reason can quickly fly out of the window. In many instances, minor accidents can cause little in the way of visible damage, but this doesn’t mean that you should ignore the involvement of your kid. Children are incredibly resilient and good at masking symptoms. This may mean that a potential injury doesn’t come to light until much later. Doing the right thing at the time of the accident can make all the difference when it comes to getting your kid the treatment he needs and being able to make a claim if the accident wasn’t your fault.
One of the first things that you should do after any sort of accident is get your child checked over by your doctor.
Reasons why you should get your kids checked by a doctor after an accident
There are several different reasons why you should get your child checked by a doctor after an accident, even if you don’t think that they are hurt.
Not all symptoms appear immediately
Not all injuries are visible and sometimes adrenaline and strong emotions after an accident can mask any symptoms your child might be experiencing. It is not uncommon for someone to walk away from an accident thinking that they are fine, but in actual fact they have suffered a relatively serious internal injury. When it comes to the health and wellbeing of your child, it is better not to take any chances and get him thoroughly assessed by a professional after any type of accident.
Your child might not be able to express their pain
Depending on how old your child is and how advanced their communication skills are, it may not be possible to tell that he is in pain or has suffered an injury. If he is an infant crying, in the aftermath of an accident you may mistake this for shock or upset rather than pain.
You will recieve the documentation you need should you need to file a compensation claim
Although compensation is unlikely to be anywhere near the top of your list of priorities in the aftermath of an accident, if you or your child have been injured as a result of the negligence of someone else, you may be entitled to financial reimbursement for the damages that you have sustained. These could range from medical and rehabilitation costs to loss of earnings and compensation for the psychological impact the accident has had. If you don’t have supporting paperwork from your doctor to state that the injuries were sustained as a direct result of this accident, your claim could be rejected.
Compensation will enable you to get your child the support that they need
If your child is found to have extensive medical or rehabilitation requirements as a result of the injuries sustained during the accident, obtaining compensation can help to cover those costs. This will take some of the financial burden away from your family and enable you to focus your energies where they are most needed – supporting your child.
What if I can't get my child seen by my usual doctor?
If you aren’t able to get an appointment with your usual doctor the same day as your accident, it may be advisable to take your child to the emergency room instead. They can still give your kid a thorough assessment and any immediate treatment that he might need. They can also create a proper record of the accident and its effects, should you need it later.
If your child has been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to compensation which will help ease the financial burden at this stressful time. To find out more, or to arrange a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, please contact our offices to speak to our team.
At Juan Lucas Alvarez, P.A., our highly experienced workers’ compensation law firm will be delighted to explain your workers’ compensation benefits to you in greater details. Schedule your no-obligation consultation at our Coral Gables law office today, and let our comp attorney help you discover what you are entitled to. Call 786-802-0300.
