Being in a car accident is scary for anyone, but it can be terrifying if your baby is in the car with you. Babies are fragile, and even minor collisions can result in injuries.
In 2021, 1,184 children aged 14 and under died in car accidents. Fatality rates for infants have dropped thanks to better use of car seats and other restraints, but babies are still at risk. In 2022, the death rate for passenger vehicle occupants <1 was 17.6 per million children, of which 65% of those children were unrestrained at the time.
As a parent, you must know how to respond to a car accident to protect your child. Chris Hammons, a reliable Oklahoma City car accident lawyer, shares a step-by-step guide on what to do if you're in a car accident with your baby.
Check on Your Baby Right After The Car Accident
The first thing you should do after a car accident is check on your baby. Unbuckle them from their car seat and look them for signs of injury. Some things to look for include:
- Cuts, bruises, or bleeding
- Deformities indicating broken bones
- Burn marks from airbag deployment
- Excessive crying, which could signal internal injury
- Unresponsiveness
If your baby seems seriously hurt, call 911 immediately. Do not try to move them unless there is further danger, as you could worsen any injuries.
Call for Help After an Auto Accident
After checking on your baby, your next step is to call for help. If you still need to dial 911, do so now. Make sure to give the dispatcher the exact location of the auto accident and describe any injuries. Stay on the line until help arrives.
Administer First Aid if Needed To Your Child After The Car Accident
While waiting for paramedics, administer basic first aid to your baby if needed. Use gentle pressure to stop bleeding from cuts. If your baby is not breathing, perform infant CPR if you are trained. Keep them stabilized until the ambulance arrives.
Collect Car Accident Details
When help arrives, collect as many details about the car accident as possible. Get contact and insurance information from the other driver(s). Take pictures of damage to both vehicles and the scene itself. This information will be critical when filing claims later.
Get Checked Out at the Hospital
Go to the hospital even if your baby seems uninjured. Some problems, like internal bleeding, may not be obvious. Both of you should be thoroughly examined. Describe the car accident and any symptoms your baby has experienced to doctors. They will determine if any imaging or testing is needed.
Speak to a Car Accident Attorney
If your baby has been injured in a car accident that was not your fault, it is advisable to speak to a car accident lawyer. A car accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation from the at-fault driver. They can handle complex legal processes like settlement negotiations and lawsuits while you focus on your baby's recovery. Having an attorney increases your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome.
In the days and weeks following an auto accident, watch your baby closely. Symptoms like vomiting, irritability, or seizures could appear later even if they didn’t initially – around 100 per 100,000 infants suffer seizures in childhood. Seek medical care right away if you notice anything out of the ordinary. Some injuries don’t show up until after a car accident.
