The National Center for Health Statistics reveals that car crashes are the number one cause of death for children. These are kids between the ages of 2 and 14 years old. This is a terrifying statistic that is not discussed very often. Considering the size of children in relation to the proportions of the vehicle, the potential for a serious injury or death is high. Any time your child is injured in an accident involving another party, contact a Fort Lauderdale child car accident injury lawyer.
Although accidents do happen, some are very much avoidable. Automobile collisions due to reckless or careless actions are never acceptable, especially when an injury is the ultimate result. Because of this inexcusable conduct, the state of Florida allows citizens the right to sue the negligent party. This is for damages stemming from the accident.
Demanding compensation to pay for the related costs can be a very difficult. You might be dealing with uncooperative defendants or big insurance companies. Personal injury claims are complex. It is vital that you align yourself with legal representation that can provide the counsel necessary. Hold the offending party responsible and prove that they were the primary cause of the child’s injuries.
Fort Lauderdale Child Car Accident Injury Attorney
The process of identifying negligence and taking legal action is a time-sensitive issue. The earlier you begin litigation, the earlier you can receive compensation and help your child recover. Our Fort Lauderdale child car accident injury lawyer, Lisa S. Levine P.A. is here to make the legal proceedings as painless as possible for you and your child. We will do everything in our power that make certain the results end in your favor.
Our attorneys provide comprehensive legal counsel. We handle every element of your case so your family can focus on healing and moving on with your life. Our firm will collect evidence, interview witnesses, develop a legal strategy and argue on your behalf in court. We take a fact-based and objective approach to representation. Our firm can be counted on to pursue the most effective avenue of proving negligence. Working on a contingency basis, our firm’s interests will be directly connected to yours. We will only collect legal fees if we win your case. This allows for a low-risk and value-driven process during a time when your finances are likely stretched thin.
Injury Victim
Based in Broward County, we are conveniently located to help residents and visitors throughout Southeastern Florida. This representation area includes the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Hollywood, Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Sunset, and Davie, among many others. We offer free initial consultations for anyone who feels they have a valid child injury claim. If you would like to schedule a time to sit down with one of our attorneys and discuss the detail of your case, please contact us at (954) 256-1820 or send an online message today.
Causes of Child Injuries from Car Accidents in Broward County
Considering the statistics, children are highly susceptible to injury while in an automobile. Not only are children exposed to all the dangers of adults, they also have to deal with issues concerning unsafe or defective safety equipment. Some of the most common reasons for injury include:
- Distracted driving.
- Texting while driving.
- Road rage.
- Failure to abide by traffic signals.
- Failure to yield right of way.
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
In the cases where safety equipment is allegedly at fault, the demand for compensation can be directed at multiple parties. This means that not only will the offending driver be partially responsible, but legal action could be taken against the company that manufactures the equipment.
Florida Child Passenger Laws
Florida state law requires children under the age of five to be protected with an approved and properly used child restraint device. For children under the age of three, Florida law specifies that they be in a separate car seat or a car seat that is integrated into the vehicle. For children ages 4 and 5, a separate car seat, integrated car seat or seat belt may be used.
Though many states address and mandate how and where the seat should be situated, the state of Florida has no such rules. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends infants be placed in a rear-facing approved infant car seat in the back seat until they weigh at least twenty (20) lbs. The child should never be placed in the front passenger seat of a car with an active air bag. Air bags deploy at 200 mph and can kill a child even when the accident is a minor fender-bender.
Failure to adhere to Florida’s laws requiring child passengers be restrained in the proscribed manner carries a fine of $60 and points on the license for the first offense.
Child Safety Tips
Inform your Child – In the early stages of life, individuals pick up an immense amount of information that stays with them for the rest of their life. Although they are still young, teaching your child the rights and wrongs of vehicle safety will likely have a more pronounced effect than you would expect. Teaching them how to act in and around cars is essential in keeping them safe.
Use Child Safety Seats – Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, and choose a seat that fits in your vehicle and use it every time. Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions; read the vehicle owners manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or LATCH system; and check height and weight limits.
Location – Young children, age 12 or less, should ride in the back of the car. Air bags can seriously injure children considering that they were designed for adults.
Stay Alert – As a driver who is transporting children, it is vital that you stay focused, alert and do not get distracted while on the road. Looking away from the road for even a brief time is equivalent to crossing a football field when you are driving at high speeds, so vigilance is extremely important.
Child Injury Resources
World Health Organization – Clicking on this link will send you to the child injury prevention page within the WHO website. It includes information on road traffic injuries, statistics and tips on preventing such injuries.
Child Auto Accident Injuries – This link directs you to a .pdf report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It presents data and statistics on the most common child traffic injuries. The report offers in-depth analysis of upper and lower body injuries, along with the primary causes of those injuries.
Child Passenger Safety – CDC – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website has a great deal of information. The info is on motor vehicle safety regarding teens and children. This link will allow you to learn about proper safety techniques and how to protect child passengers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Injuries in Car Accidents
How Can I Help My Child After a Car Accident?
Car accidents can be a traumatic experience no matter how old you are, but they are especially difficult for children. While children are incredibly resilient, it’s important to look out for signs that your child may be experiencing so much distress that they need help.
For different age groups, some of these signs include:
– For children younger than 5, signs of regression in some behaviors may be of concern, such as returning to thumb sucking or bedwetting.
– For children ages 6 to 11, look for disruptive behaviors, inability to concentrate, and sleep problems.
– For children 12 and up, look for changes in school performance, problems sleeping, problems with peers, and risk taking behavior.
It’s important for anyone who has been involved in a car accident to see a doctor after the accident, but physical injuries aren’t the only concern. If your child is showing signs emotional distress, don’t wait to seek help for them and yourself.
How Long Does a Car Accident Claim Take in Florida?
It’s difficult to determine how long a a case will take because the circumstances of each accident and the parties involved are always unique. While some cases may settle quickly in only a few months, other cases may need to go to trial and take more than a year.
How Long Do You Have to File a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claim?
If you or your loved ones have been injured in a car accident, it’s important to start the process of filing a claim as soon as possible. Not only do memories fade and evidence disappears after time, but there are also laws that limit the time during you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. Florida requires that you file a claim within 4 years of the injury.
Lisa S. Levine P.A. – Broward County Child Injury Lawyer
A child injury can be a traumatic experience for all parties involved. Knowing that your child is hurt can be extremely stressful for a parent. It has the potential to turn the life of a family upside down. If the injury was the result of negligence, legal avenues should be pursued. We will help hold the offending party responsible for their actions.
Our Florida auto accident firm offers full-service representation that provides straightforward and transparent legal advice. The legal process can be daunting for many, and we make it a goal of ours to keep you informed and confident during this difficult and confusing time. Our firm is not intimidated by the substantial legal resources of the opposition and will take every opportunity to prove negligence and force the defendant to answer for their carelessness.
As a Southeastern Florida practice, we offer our legal services to victims of negligence throughout Broward County, including Miramar, Coral Springs, Pompano Beach, Margate, Oakland Park, Tamarac, and surrounding communities. To see if you should proceed with legal action, we offer free and confidential initial consultation for potential clients. In order to schedule a time to meet with our Fort Lauderdale child car accident injury lawyer and discuss your case, please call (954) 256-1820 or send an online message.
