Auto Accident Lawyer: Understanding Car Accidents in Colorado involving Children

Any car accident has the potential to be traumatizing, but those that involve children can be particularly devastating. Children are more susceptible to serious and long-term injuries. Younger children specifically are not yet fully developed and thus less protected against the impact they sustain in auto accidents. For this reason, it is critical to get fair and just compensation when a car accident involves children in Colorado. Physical injuries that may take years to heal and mental health issues that may take even longer to solve deserve to be properly considered in any kind of settlement or jury verdict.

At Nares Law Group, our auto accident lawyer in Colorado understands how important it is for families to be compensated in order to heal properly. Contact our office today at 720-637-7786 to schedule a Free Consultation to learn more about your legal options.

Are Car Accident Claims in Colorado Different for Children?

When it comes to making a personal injury claim for a child involved in a car accident, the child usually has the same right to compensation as an adult. They can seek damages for medical expenses, loss of ability to earn an income, and pain and suffering. In certain situations, they can also seek punitive damages. 

However, there are some key differences between car accident claims for adults and those for children.

Firstly, minors cannot file their own personal injury claim. Instead, their parents or guardian must do so on their behalf. Alternatively, a child can wait until they reach the age of majority (usually 18 years of age) to file their own claim. 

There are also different procedural requirements for personal injury claims involving children. For example, in many jurisdictions, a judge must review and approve the settlement agreement. 

Injuries to Children from Car Accidents in Colorado

The types of injuries commonly sustained by children in car accidents also differ from adults, which can impact the level of compensation they receive. As children’s bodies are still developing, they are more prone to certain types of injuries. 

Common injuries in car accident cases involving children include those to the head or brain, spinal cord, and thoracic areas, as well as fractures and psychological trauma. 

Head or Brain Injuries

Spinal Cord Injuries

Thoracic Injuries

Fractures

Psychological Trauma

Minors and the Statute of Limitations in Colorado?

The statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim for a child involved in a car accident varies between states.

If a parent files a claim on behalf of their child, the state’s standard limitation period for personal injury claims usually applies, starting from the date of the accident. 

However, when a minor wishes to file their own claim, many states delay the start of the statute of limitations until the child reaches the age of majority (often 18 years of age). 

So, if a child is injured in a car accident when they’re 16 in a state with a two-year statute of limitations, the child has until age 20 to file their own personal injury claim. If the parents were to file the claim, they have two years from the date of the accident to do so. 

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Colorado Today

Auto accidents involving children should be addressed with special consideration. Their injuries may require more medical attention. At Nares Law Group, our auto accident attorney will closely review and investigate the circumstances around your car accident to help ensure you get fair and just compensation. Contact us either via our online form or by calling us today at 720-637-7786 to schedule a Free Consultation.