Even the best parents who teach all the correct driver safety will have children who end up in accidents. The fact of the matter is, they happen. Whether it’s sliding off the road their first winter driving or it’s a fender bender in a parking lot, accidents happen. It’s important, should anything go terribly wrong, you remember how to care for your child after an accident.
Should your child get into an accident and you’re worried about their health, here are some tips for you. Caring for a child after a car accident can be either really scary or just a bit emotional. Either way, here’s some advice for the first car accident your child happens to get into.
Accidents Happen
The most important thing to remember when your child calls you saying they got into an accident is that this is pretty normal. Accidents happen — especially car accidents. For example, in 2013, there were 1,179 fatalities and 116,458 injuries on state highways, roads, and streets. If your child is able to call you and tell you what happened, you should really just be glad that they’re okay.
The first thing to do when you receive that call is to stay calm. Your kid is already probably shaken up, likely embarrassed, and probably a bit scared, too. If this is the first time they’ve gotten into an accident, the idea of consequences could be overwhelming for them. Remind them that their safety is the most important thing and that as long as they are okay, things will be fine.
Comfort is Key
Unless your child is driving recklessly consistently and doesn’t seem to care about the damages a car accident can lead to, the most important thing you can do for your kid is to comfort them. Getting into an accident is scary, even if it’s just a fender bender. You don’t know if the other driver will press charges, you may be worried about insurance coverage, etc. For a young teen just learning to drive, this can be incredibly stress-inducing. For this reason, comforting your child is all the more important. While getting into an accident is a learning experience, it’s important that your child feels safe. Most importantly, if your child suffered injuries due to a car or truck accident, it’s important to consult a personal injury attorney, specifically an auto and truck accident lawyer, for legal advice and assistance.
While you don’t want to reward reckless driving, you do want to make sure they know accidents happen. If they were in a more serious accident and their health has been affected, be sure to bring flowers to the hospital or wherever they’re recovering. 86% of people say receiving flowers makes them feel special and if your child is injured, some flowers may be just what they need to brighten their day. The current sales tax rate in Oklahoma is 4.5%, which you may consider when buying your child something to help cheer them up, should you be out and about when you receive the call that they’ve been in an accident.
It can be hard to know how to react when your child gets in a car accident. However, with these tips, you’ll be able to respond with compassion and empathy. Chances are, you’ve been in an accident, too. The most important thing is to make sure their health is in good shape and that they aren’t working themselves up over the accident. Seeking legal assistance from an auto accident attorney is also advised to ensure your child’s rights are protected. Let it be a teaching moment, but don’t allow it to paralyze your child from ever wanting to drive again.
