Why your teen should seek immediate medical care following an auto accident

The invention of the automobile was indeed a fantastic thing. In fact, it was downright spectacular. The initial idea that humans could possibly travel across the country in as little as a few days must have been an unbelievable realization, one that we’ve only continued to expand upon over the last century.

Unfortunately, the birth of cars, trucks, 18-wheelers, and other auto vehicles has also resulted in the deaths of many drivers – especially teenagers.

According to the IHHS, the risk of fatal car crashes is highest for drivers ages 16 and 17. In fact, the number of teens killed in car crashes during 2015 was higher than the number of people who died from airplane crashes, lightning strikes, shark attacks, skydiving, snake bites, tornadoes, spider bites, and earthquakes combined.

These truths have made for interesting debates regarding whether or not the legal driving age should be raised from 16. Regardless of your stance, it is important to be aware of the fact that accidents can, do, and will happen, and many of these future accidents will involve teenagers. This being the case, you need to be prepared, especially if your child is involved.

If your son or daughter is ever involved in a car accident and they survive the initial wreck, one of the most important things you can have your teen do post car accident is to seek medical attention.

There are no ifs, ands, or buts that serve as exceptions to the rule. The DMV recommends seeking emergency assistance as soon as possible if you experience any immediate post car crash symptoms, such as:

• Pain
• Numbness
• Dizziness

With that said, these symptoms can sometimes take days to appear. Internal bleeding and bruising, for example, might feel like nothing more than minor twinge at first. Waiting until you see any changes in skin color, however, will not only put your body at risk for infection and irreversible harm but might also make your chances in a potential court case less-than-ideal. This is because injuries sustained in the crash will become more and more difficult to prove if you decide to wait.

To ensure your child is healthy and that you are prepared for any future injury-related situations that arise from the crash, see a doctor. While you’re waiting to be seen, be sure to routinely check for any new visible injuries and take pictures of current bruises, cuts, and scrapes to track how they progress.

If your son or daughter feels fine after a car crash, a simple check-up will hopefully put your mind at ease and confirm all you’re hoping to hear. If, unfortunately, you don’t receive the most comforting news, then at least you’re ready to take the next steps to both get your child healthy once again and receive the financial compensation your family deserves.

For more information on how we can help you or your child in the wake of an accident, visit https://lovettlawfirm.com/ and call our auto accident attorneys at 915-757-9999 (El Paso, Texas) or 575-523-5555 (Las Cruces, New Mexico).