Driving a car is the most dangerous thing most of us do, and we do it on a daily basis. It is estimated that you will experience three to four accidents throughout your lifetime.

Some of those accidents may be minor. Unfortunately, it’s also possible that one of those accidents could be major. If you find yourself in any kind of accident with a child, it’s even more scary and stressful.

If your child has been in a car accident, either while you were behind the wheel or someone else was, it’s important to consider these five steps as your child recovers.

Hire an Accident Attorney

You may want to consider hiring an accident attorney. If your child was in an accident in New York, New Jersey, California, or Florida, she can help answer your questions and possibly make a recovery in your case.

Not sure if hiring an attorney is appropriate in your situation? It never hurts to ask! Most attorneys offer free consultations where they can tell you if they think you have a case, and if so, how much they think they might be able to recover in your situation.

Get Medical Treatment for Your Child

Most car accidents result in at least a few injuries. Some of the most common vehicle accident injuries include:

  • Scrapes and cuts
  • Arm and leg injuries
  • Chest injuries
  • Head injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries

If your child has a broken bone or a large gash in their leg, it is obvious that you should take them to a doctor. However, there are a lot of injuries that can’t be seen by the naked eye. That’s why you should seek medical treatment for your child after an accident, even if nothing appears to be wrong with them hours after the crash.

A medical professional can help determine if your child’s muscles or tendons were injured, if they may have suffered whiplash, or if the fluid and tissue inside the skull have been affected by the impact. The earlier you can identify these kinds of injuries, the more likely your child is to make a full recovery.

Call Your Auto Insurance

Whether you choose to hire an attorney or not, it’s important to call your car insurance. There are important pieces of information that you will want to tell them right away, like the date and time of the accident, any injuries that were sustained, and the information of the other parties involved.

If the other driver is responsible for the accident, you should be able to receive your benefits immediately. However, if the driver at fault is in question, you could be waiting for your benefits for a long time. That’s when hiring an attorney can come in handy. They can help you fight for both you and your child’s rights.

Monitor Your Child’s Recovery

Once the dust has settled a little bit and you’ve spoken to your insurance and an attorney, your job isn’t done yet. It’s important to monitor your child’s recovery closely.

You will want to make sure that their injuries are healing properly. If something doesn’t look quite right, you will need to call your doctor right away.

You should also be on the lookout for new symptoms. It’s possible that an injury was overlooked during your child’s initial visit. If they are acting funny, if they develop bruising in a curious area, or if they tell you they don’t feel good, you should schedule another exam.

Consider Their Mental Health

Not all injuries can be treated by a medical doctor. Getting into a car crash can be scary, no matter what your age, but it can be especially scary for children. It’s important to know how to help your child with their mental health as they recover.

The best thing you can do is be there for them. Listen to their fears and concerns, and offer a hug or words of encouragement whenever they are needed.

You may also want to seek help from support people. A therapist can help. You can also tell the school counselor, and they may be able to work with your child during the school day.

It’s normal to be worried when your child is in an accident. With these tips, you can ensure you’re doing everything you can to help them recover both physically and emotionally after a crash.