As parents, we do whatever we can to protect our children, especially after a traumatic event such as a car accident. However, car accidents are distressing and may take time to emotionally recover from, especially for a young child. It is normal for your child to feel distressed following a car accident, but there are ways to help them cope so that feelings of safety and recovery return faster.
While there is no quick fix to managing a child’s response to a car accident, following their lead by answering questions and allowing them to express their feelings, seeking social support, following a normal routine, and focusing on the positives can help alleviate some of the emotional trauma they may feel. If you or your child have sustained physical injuries related to someone else’s negligence in a California car accident, you may be eligible to seek compensatory damages for any medical or psychological treatment needed for a full recovery.
5 Ways to Help Your Child Cope After a Car Accident in California
Car accidents may be distressing for young children and adolescents. Other than offering emotional support, there are five ways you can help your child cope after a car accident:
1. Follow Your Child’s Lead
Although you may think it is helpful to talk about the car accident, follow their lead to ensure that they are comfortable in expressing their thoughts and feelings about the event. Speaking about the accident in a factual manner may be helpful in removing overwhelming feelings of fear or anger. Validate their feelings and empathize that their feelings are normal.
2. Seek Necessary Social Support
Seek social support from positive people around you, especially when you have a support system like extended family. Allow them grace at school and speak to teachers about the event and how it may impact their performance as they recover.
3. Follow Your Normal Routine
Experts emphasize the importance of getting back to a routine following a car accident to provide them with stability and safety. When children experience trauma, they may begin to act out, revert to younger behaviors, become clingy, or require more attention.
If they begin to develop a fear of cars, create a strategy to go to their favorite places to associate cars with more positive emotions or use comforting items to help ease anxiety, such as favorite toys or blankets.
4. Spend Time Together
One of the best methods of helping your child cope with a car accident is to spend more time with them. This may help heal the emotional distress they feel. Activities like playing their favorite games, taking a walk, going to the park, or participating in other hobbies can help them recover from any trauma associated with the accident.
5. Focus on a Positive Outlook
It may be helpful to refocus the child’s mind on a positive outlook of a collision, such as physical well-being, the support offered by others, and the ease of car repair or replacement. This reinforces their resilience and healthy coping strategies to negative events.
Recovering Economic and Non-Economic Damages After a California Car Accident
Car accidents involving children can be overwhelming, as they are more vulnerable to physical and emotional suffering. Seeking prompt medical attention is essential to their recovery. Neglecting to obtain a medical evaluation may result in worsening conditions as injuries may be latent. You may be able to recover necessary economic damages for any medical expenses you incur when treating accident-related injuries.
If your child requires psychological treatment following a car accident, you may be able to recover damages associated with emotional suffering or distress and other types of emotional trauma.
Speaking with an experienced California car accident lawyer can help you build a solid case by conducting an investigation into the accident and determining liability so you may recover the compensation you deserve.
Speak With the Experienced California Car Accident Lawyers at Younglove Law Group
Navigating the complexities of a car accident claim alone can be stressful, especially if you are focused on the care and emotional recovery of your child. The California car accident lawyers at Younglove Law Group can alleviate the stress of recovering the necessary compensation you are owed by handling all aspects of your claim.
At Younglove Law Group, we are committed to compassionate and aggressive legal advocacy so you can recover the maximum compensation you deserve for the economic and non-economic damages you suffered due to someone else’s negligence. Schedule a free case review today at (949) 691-3660 or fill out our contact form.
