Our hope is that every child grows up safe, healthy and injury free, but when accidents happen, you may need help paying for medical bills and making sure that your child’s future is protected.
Hundreds of thousands of injuries to children are reported each year. Statistics show motor vehicle accidents account for the greatest number of unintended injury deaths for children ages 14 and under with drownings, pedestrian injuries and bike accidents causing many additional injuries.
The fact is, children are at far greater risk than adults for injuries simply because they are less coordinated, have slower reaction times and are less accurate with their movements. According to Safe Kids USA, in 2002, nearly 300,000 children ages 14 and under were treated in a hospital emergency room for bicycle related injuries alone. Of those children admitted to the hospital, nearly half were diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. No parent wants to hear this kind of news. The medical bills associated with these injuries can be daunting, but worse is the feeling of helplessness parents experience when their child is hurting and they just can’t help. The uncertainty can feel overwhelming.
Parents wonder, “How will I pay for the treatment necessary to get the best care?” and “Will there be expenses and unforseen consequences down the road when the insurance runs out?”
Oftentimes, childrens' injuries stem from their own behavior, they are kids after all, and accidents come with the territory. Children don’t always use good judgment, so they ride into the street without stopping, turn into oncoming traffic, and no matter how many times we tell them, they forget to wear their helmet. Determining who is at fault or “negligent” therefore becomes a critical consideration in accident injuries involving children. The answers are not always obvious, however, because factors like age, intelligence and maturity play an important role in determining fault. For example, five year olds are not expected to have the same degree of understanding or responsibility as sixteen year olds, and the adult supervising children must keep this in mind.
If you have questions, we can help with assessment of the claim and by explaining the laws and your rights in clear and plain language, so that you can determine what, if any, compensation is available for medical bills, lost time from school, pain and suffering, permanent injuries or future medical bills. We will work with you, and if the time comes, with your child, to provide tough and compassionate representation. We will deal with the insurance companies, attorneys and other accident parties so that you can focus on what is most important, helping your child get better.
If your child has been injured in an accident and you believe that someone else is at fault, call Rice Law Office now for a free, no obligation telephone consultation at (603) 528-5299, or contact us here.
