There are many thoughts that go through parents’ minds when they are involved in an accident with their children in the vehicle. Making sure that the children are fine is one of the top priorities for most parents.
One of the questions that are likely going to come up is whether you need to seek medical care for the child after a car crash. This is something that you will have to decide based on what you see and the information you have at the scene.
Some situations demand medical care
An obvious severe injury, such as a broken bone or hit to the head, would require immediate medical care. When children are involved it is usually a good idea to let the emergency medical technicians who report to the scene give your child a once over to see if they notice anything that might need care right away.
When injuries aren’t obvious
There are some cases in which injuries aren’t obvious. You will have to use your best judgment. In many cases, parents should opt for the “better to be safe than sorry” theory and have the child checked either at the emergency room or the doctor’s office. It is usually best to alert the child’s paediatrician about the crash. You might be given a list of signs to watch for in the days and weeks after the accident.
Circumstances to consider
There are a few circumstances to think about when you are trying to decide if your child needs urgent medical care. First, think about your child’s age. Younger children might not know to tell you that something hurts, but they might be more irritable than normal. Second, think about how adrenaline might affect your child. This could make your children not fully realize that they are hurt. Third, consider the accident’s circumstances. A very bad accident might mean that you need to take your child in just to be sure that issues like whiplash or a hidden brain injury haven’t occurred.
Not all injuries are noticed quickly
It is possible that you might not realize that your child was injured right away. For example, some brain injuries can take days to show up. It is always best to watch your child and make note of anything that seems amiss. Writing down anything you notice might help you if you do have to take your child to the doctor in the weeks after the crash.