As a parent, you want to do everything in your power to keep your children safe in every environment, including the car. You use the proper booster seats and restraints to prevent injuries. Even with these protections, you can never predict when an auto accident may occur or how serious it may be.
According to the CDC, motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of fatalities among American kids. In fact, 723 children died, and more than 128,000 sustained injuries in crashes in 2016. What are the most common injuries for children in car accidents? It is important to know what risks your children face in the event of a wreck, so you can be ready to care for them.
Head and neck trauma
Children are at high risk of sustaining damage to the head, brain and neck in a motor vehicle collision. Common injuries include:
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash
- Skull base fractures
Sometimes, these injuries can result in developmental issues and cognitive difficulties.
Airbag injuries
While airbags exist to lessen the impact of a collision, their deployment can be dangerous for children. This is especially true for kids who sit in the front seat. Airbags can cause broken noses and neck injuries.
Chest injuries
Even though seatbelts and restraints are designed to keep your child secure during a collision, they can cause injuries when they tighten. Potential injuries include rib fractures and lung injuries.
Glass injuries
If a collision causes a window or windshield to break, it may result in cuts and lacerations on your child. This can cause scarring and disfigurement.
Psychological problems
It is important to realize that children may not only suffer physically from a crash. Even if a child only has minor physical injuries, he or she may deal with difficult emotional issues after the incident. Mental anguish can impact social behavior and school performance.