The Impact of Emotional Trauma on Children After an Accident

Being involved in a motor vehicle wreck or similar accident can be a traumatic experience for a child. Even after they recover from their physical injuries, they may struggle with emotional and mental health difficulties that aren’t as obvious. Emotional trauma can be an “invisible” symptom of injury a child experiences after a wreck.

You should also be aware of your child’s legal rights in these circumstances. Depending on how the crash occurred, your child may be eligible for financial compensation. In some instances, a child might even receive compensation for a non-economic loss (a loss that doesn’t have an objective dollar value), like emotional trauma.

The Signs of Emotional Trauma in Children After Accidents

It’s important to understand that every child is different. The way one child reacts to trauma may not be the same as the way another reacts. If you’re ever worried your child is experiencing any type of adverse reactions after an auto wreck, it’s best to err on the side of caution and see a doctor or specialist to learn more about their condition.

That said, it’s also important to understand that the way emotional trauma and conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) manifest in young children is often distinct from the way these conditions may manifest in adults. Consider the following:

• Children under the age of five: Particularly young children may revert back to early childhood behaviors when struggling with emotional or mental trauma after collisions. For example, a child might begin sucking their thumb or wetting the bed again. Although less common, some children over the age of five might still revert back to such behaviors when experiencing emotional trauma.
• Children aged six to eleven years: Young children over five but younger than 11 may experience a range of symptoms of emotional trauma, such as inability to concentrate, sleep difficulties, nightmares, poor school performance, and changes in mood, to name a few. Again, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your child’s pediatrician as soon as you suspect an issue.
• Children aged twelve to seventeen years: Older children and adolescents struggling with post-accident emotional trauma may experience symptoms like those experienced by children between the ages of six and 11. However, they may also experience depression, changes in appetite, and even suicidal thoughts.

An auto wreck can cause emotional trauma in virtually anyone. After such a traumatic experience, your child may benefit from seeing a mental health professional, even if they’re not exhibiting symptoms of emotional or mental trauma.

Obvious symptoms of emotional trauma can take weeks or even months to manifest. A professional may identify subtle early warning signs of a problem that you might miss.

Seeking Compensation for Emotional Trauma After a Wreck

Car wreck victims are often eligible for financial compensation. How they go about pursuing it can depend on where they live.

For example, Massachusetts is one of a few states using the no-fault insurance system. In Massachusetts, it doesn’t matter if someone else caused a wreck; victims would nevertheless seek compensation by filing claims with their own insurance. A driver’s personal insurance usually won’t provide compensation for emotional trauma and other non-economic losses, though it might provide compensation for emotional trauma treatment.

That said, even in a no-fault state like Massachusetts, it’s sometimes possible to file an additional claim or lawsuit against a third party whose negligence caused a crash. This is an option if a victim’s injuries or losses are severe enough to meet certain criteria established under a no-fault state’s serious injury laws. A victim who has the option of filing a third-party claim or lawsuit may also be eligible to receive compensation for emotional trauma, although they may have to go to court to pursue it.

Just as you would see a professional to have your child evaluated for emotional trauma after a wreck, you may also benefit from speaking with a legal professional to learn more about your options after a crash. At Swartz & Swartz, P.C., our Boston personal injury attorneys would gladly review your case and discuss the topic of emotional trauma. Although a lawyer can’t promise a specific outcome for your case, we can weigh in on whether we think pursuing compensation for your child’s emotional trauma is an option. Learn more about what we can do for you by contacting us online today or calling us at (617) 742-1900.

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