When a car accident occurs, the safety of everyone in affected vehicles should be the top priority. This is especially true for children, who are often the most vulnerable passengers.
When children are involved in a car crash, their caregivers can be terrified and will naturally be inclined to check if the kids are okay. However, parents are strongly advised to resist any instinct to remove their child from their car seat to check for injuries or provide comfort. Removing a child from their car seat without proper guidance can pose serious risks.
What are the risks?
When children are passengers in a vehicle, they should be properly secured in their car seat, potentially protecting them during a car crash by distributing the impact forces across the strongest parts of their bodies. Car seats also help ensure that kids are not thrown out of the vehicle during an accident.
In the immediate aftermath of a crash, emotions run high, and caregivers may want to remove kids from their car seats to provide comfort. However, it’s better to leave the kids well-secured in their car seats to avoid exacerbating any injuries they may have sustained.
Hidden injuries to be aware of
Just like adult passengers, children can also suffer a wide range of injuries in a car crash. Because they’re still developing, kids are especially vulnerable to:
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head trauma
- Bone fractures
Moving kids out of their car seats if they have such injuries may worsen the underlying issue. The most significant concern that parents should bear in mind is the possibility of spinal cord injuries. The spine, especially in young children, is incredibly delicate, and any movement can lead to further damage. Therefore, parents should wait for first responders to arrive at the accident to assess and stabilize their child. This way, they can be safely transported to the hospital for proper treatment.
In the chaos following a car accident, it’s natural for caregivers to want to check on a child immediately. However, moving a child from their car seat without a clear and urgent need can do more harm than good. Instead, parents should wait for first responders to arrive at the accident scene and to reach out to a compassionate legal team to figure out the best way forward once their children’s injuries have been properly assessed.