Were You And Your Kids Involved In A Car Accident? 4 Steps You Should Take To Help In The Recovery
Summer is the time for fun family activities. Unfortunately, summer can also be the time for car accidents, especially with so many people traveling on the highways. Being involved in a car accident by yourself is one thing, but being involved in a car accident when you have your children in the car is something completely different. If you've been involved in a car accident while traveling with your kids, you'll need to take action right away. Here are four crucial steps you should take to ensure that you and your children recover from your car accident.
Seek Medical Attention
If you and your children have been involved in a car accident, you need to seek medical attention right away. This is crucial, even if you and your children don't have any visible injuries. Some injuries sustained in car accidents aren't always visible right away. In fact, whiplash and soft tissue injuries can take a few days to present symptoms. Seeking medical attention at an emergency room will ensure that your injuries are diagnosed quickly so that you can begin receiving treatment as soon as possible. It's also a good idea to have your children seen by their pediatrician, as well.
Speak to an Attorney
If you've been in a car accident, and your children were in the car, you need to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. Car accidents involving children require immediate legal assistance. First, insurance companies often try to undercut the severity of injuries involving children. Second, you'll need an attorney to help you navigate the paperwork that will be involved in any insurance settlements involving your minor children. Reach out to a firm like Labine Law Firm for more help.
Replace Your Child Seats
If you have young children who use child safety seats, and those safety seats were in the vehicle at the time of the accident, you need to replace them immediately. Child safety seats should never be used after a car accident. They could have sustained damage that is not visible to the naked eye, which means they will no longer be able to provide the safety that you children need. Notify your insurance company so that they can replace them for you.
Keep an Injury Journal
If your children sustained injuries in the car accident, it's important that you keep an injury journal for each one of your children. Document any symptoms that your children may be experiencing, as well as how their injuries are interfering with their lives. This should include any emotional trauma your children may have experienced as a result of the accident. Your attorney will need that information when it comes time to negotiate a settlement for you and your children.