No one expects injurious car accidents. These injuries can temporarily or permanently impact children’s lives. It can also cause them to endure the traumatizing aspects of hospitalization immediately afterward. On top of that, they can have to cope with the death or injury of a sibling, parent or friend who was also involved.
All of this can have a significant emotional impact on children. These can be frightening and stressful, and children react differently to these stimulants than adults do. While some may cope well, others may not. Although every child is different, here are some things that can help parents help their children cope after a car crash.
Common responses
The common youth responses to car accidents are:
- Emotional changes
- Physical changes
- Thought pattern changes
- Social changes
- Behavioral changes
- Positive changes
If parents were not involved in the accident, they should read the crash report to get a better idea of why these changes occurred.
Duration
A lot of children cope well. The majority of them will experience distress at first, but move past this after a few months. However, for some, the distress can last for a significant time. These children often seem to be coping okay at first, then become distressed several months after the accident.
If issues persist in a child’s behavior, a doctor or mental health professional could be the best option for helping them. Although you may have to pursue a personal injury case, the compensation parents receive after a car crash will cover this expense.