Car Accidents and Children

Traffic accidents are the leading cause of fatalities among children in the U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 1,538 children aged 15 and younger lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in 2009. That figure represents more than 4.5% of the total deaths due to traffic accidents that year. In Florida, 86 youngsters died in motor vehicle crashes in 2009 – a little over 3% of the total number of Floridians lost in accidents. If your child has been hurt or killed in a traffic crash, contact a qualified personal injury attorney for advice.

The Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys at Freeman Injury Law join parents statewide in the hope that children can be protected from risk on Florida roads. However, we know the reality. Our child accident injury lawyers are known for their sensitive approach to working with children who have been hurt in a motor vehicle crash. We know how frightening an accident can be to a child, and how confusing and intimidating medical treatment can seem. When your family needs the help of a knowledgeable Broward car accident attorney because a child has been hurt, you’ll be glad you chose a strong advocate from the firm of Freeman Injury Law.

Our child car accident attorneys know that Florida has mandated the use of restraint systems for children under the age of 4 years. But we know that every violation of that law can’t possibly be enforced. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirm that, in a year’s time, more than 618,000 children ride in vehicles without using safety seats, booster seats or seat belts. Indeed, the CDC found that nearly three-quarters of restraint systems for kids are used improperly anyway, possibly putting children at greater risk if an accident occurs.

Unlike some states, Florida doesn’t mandate that kids must ride in rear seats, even though research suggests that such an arrangement is safer than transporting a child in the front seat. The CDC urges parents to insist that children ride in rear seats. Not only does the back seat position place kids in the safest part of the vehicle, but it also protects them from potential injuries caused by front-seat air bags. In fact, the CDC says that “child passengers should never be seated in front of an air bag [because] air bags can injure or kill children in a crash that might otherwise have been survivable.”

At Freeman Injury Law, our Palm Beach car accident attorneys have seen the heartbreak that devastates families when a young child’s life is taken by a motor vehicle accident. We know how painful this situation can be. That’s why we pledge to provide you with personal attention and a caring approach. The law imposes time limits that affect your ability to claim compensation when your child has been killed or injured in a car crash. Our firm can pursue the claim for you, and we can handle the tasks involved, freeing you to stay with an injured child or to grieve your loss privately.

When children are hurt in motor vehicle crashes, the Port St. Lucie car accident lawyers at Freeman Injury Law believe that the driver at fault for the accident should be held liable for their actions. We will aggressively pursue a full and fair settlement. Our medical training has shown us that children who suffer serious injuries may need long-term medical care. In addition, kids may have to cope with a lifetime of bearing the scars from their wounds. We believe that compensation claims must reflect such factors. That’s why we’ll pursue the maximum monetary damages available to your child and your family. Call our firm today and ask for a free consultation to discuss your situation and to learn about your child’s rights. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you.