Pedestrian accidents involving children in Houston are especially tragic, often resulting in severe injuries and lasting trauma for families. Young pedestrians are more vulnerable to drivers’ negligence, distracted driving, or unsafe crossings near schools and neighborhoods. Your family can seek compensation for damages resulting from this type of wreck, but you must prove how the at-fault party’s actions contributed to the crash and your losses.
At KGS Law PLLC, our compassionate pedestrian collision attorneys understand the impact of injuries to children and their families. We could investigate your accident, gather evidence, establish liability, and help you pursue the settlement you deserve.
Child Pedestrian Injury Cases
Children face unique vulnerabilities in pedestrian accidents due to their size, limited awareness, and unpredictable behavior. When vehicles strike young pedestrians, they often sustain harm, ranging from mild to severe. Certain injuries are common in Houston traffic collisions that involve children on foot.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Children can suffer head trauma in pedestrian wrecks because their heads are proportionally larger and closer to vehicle impact points. These injuries range from concussions to severe brain damage affecting cognitive development, memory, learning abilities, and behavioral functioning, potentially causing lifelong disabilities.
Facial and Dental Injuries
The height at which vehicles strike children often results in direct facial impact. Common injuries include:
- Lacerations
- Jaw injuries
- Knocked-out teeth
- Fractured facial bones
Recovering from facial and dental injuries may require reconstructive surgery.
Chest and Abdominal Injuries
Vehicle bumpers typically strike children at chest or abdomen height, causing internal organ damage, rib fractures, lung contusions, and liver or spleen injuries. These internal traumas may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The force of vehicle impact can cause spinal fractures, herniated discs, or spinal cord damage in children. These injuries may result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting mobility and independence. Recovering or coping with spinal cord injuries may require extensive rehabilitation and adaptive equipment.
Bone Fractures
Children’s developing bones are particularly susceptible to fractures during pedestrian accidents. Growth plate injuries and fractures to the legs, arms, and pelvis are common. Breaks can affect bone development and limb length, potentially requiring surgical intervention and prolonged treatment.
Psychological Trauma
Children who sustain injuries while walking can experience severe emotional and psychological trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and phobias related to traffic or outdoor activities. These psychological injuries may require years of therapy and impact the quality of life.
Whether minor or severe, we are here to help you pursue compensation for your losses.
How Long Does It Take To Settle a Pedestrian Accident?
In Houston, the timeline for settling pedestrian collision claims for minors can vary from months to years, depending on multiple factors that affect case progression and resolution. Injury severity and recovery duration heavily influence settlement timing. Cases involving minor injuries may resolve within months. Catastrophic injuries requiring extensive treatment necessitate waiting until maximum medical improvement, which can cause delays.
Liability disputes extend the case duration when defendants contest fault or claim the pedestrian shares responsibility. An attorney could investigate to establish fault and support your claim.
Insurance company cooperation affects case progression. While some insurers negotiate, others employ delay tactics, hoping victims will accept lower offers. Settlement negotiations involving multiple liable parties or policy coverage disputes can delay the process.
Litigation extends timelines because the court process is complex. It may take an attorney one to three months to conduct discovery, depositions, and trial preparations in a pedestrian accident case.
Call Us To Pursue Justice After a Houston Pedestrian Crash Involving a Child
Pedestrian accidents involving children in Houston can be especially devastating, both emotionally and financially. Parents may also experience loss of consortium, as the injury can affect the child’s ability to enjoy family activities or develop normally.
Our attorneys at KGS Law PLLC fight tirelessly to help the families of injured children secure justice and compensation and find closure, stability, and hope after such a devastating experience. Contact us for compassionate legal support today.