It’s no secret that Texas drivers spend a lot of time on the highway. In Houston, drivers spend more than 56 hours a year in traffic, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. And, in North Texas, drivers across the metroplex spend more than 71 hours on the road, according to the Dallas Observer. Unfortunately, the lengthy amount of time spent driving increases the likelihood of car wrecks—even when children are in the car.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) 2023 Crash Facts Report, 15,219 reported car wrecks resulted in serious injuries in 2023. These horrific incidents are becoming so common that the state agency created Child Passenger Safety Week each September to educate fellow Texans on how to keep little ones safe on the road.
Our experienced Texas child injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm are raising awareness about the injuries children most commonly sustain in car accidents, why they are more susceptible to severe and catastrophic injuries, and how to protect a child from serious harm in the event of a car wreck.
What Are the Main Causes of Car Wrecks in Texas?
Nearly 33% of wrecks on Texas roads and highways were caused by distracted drivers in 2023, per TxDOT. This includes drivers eating, texting, or talking while behind the wheel.
Other driver-related causes contributed to the numerous fender benders across the Lone Star State, including:
- Aggressive driving
- Driver fatigue
- Drunk driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Improper lane changes
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Running red lights and stop signs
If you are in a car wreck caused by a negligent driver, download our free guide outlining what to do. Our experienced child injury lawyers cover everything from seeking medical attention, what evidence to gather, and how to deal with an insurance company.
What Are Common Injuries That Kids Sustain in Car Accidents on Texas Roads?
In a car wreck, Texas children are vulnerable to serious injuries due to their small size, developing bodies, and relative fragility compared to adults.
Our Texas child injury lawyers have seen firsthand how little ones are most likely to suffer the following injuries in a serious wreck:
- Broken bones
- Burns in the event of a fire
- Concussions and head injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Psychological trauma
- Rib fractures
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Skull fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
Tragically, 1,129 Texas children younger than 13 years old were killed in car wrecks in 2022, per the Texas Department of Public Safety. The state agency cites car accidents as the leading cause of death for young children. Often, child fatalities happen when little ones are not correctly restrained with a seatbelt or in a car seat. Also, their bodies are more vulnerable to the jarring impact of a collision.
Our team of experienced and compassionate child injury lawyers can help you and your child hold a negligent driver accountable and seek compensation for damages such as:
- Costly medical bills to treat your child’s injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disfigurement
- Therapy services to help them process a traumatic accident in a healthy way
In the event of a fatal accident, we can help the surviving parents pursue a wrongful death of a child lawsuit. Often, this legal step provides families with a sense of closure after a child’s untimely passing because of a car accident.
Get a free case evaluation by calling us at 214-699-4409 or emailing us at [email protected]. Our team will advise you on how to help your family move forward after a serious car accident. We don’t charge you or collect any upfront fees to get started on your case.
How Can I Protect My Child from Being Injured in a Car Wreck?
The easiest way for children in Texas to be protected from the severity of a typical car wreck is to be properly restrained in the vehicle. Current state laws require children ages eight and younger to use a car seat unless they are taller than 4’9”.
When it comes to safety seats, Texas parents should:
- Check the maximum weight and height requirements for each style of car seat and transition children as needed
- Ensure a child’s car or booster seat is properly installed
- Keep infant car seats rear-facing
- Select a car or booster seat that properly fits in a vehicle
Parents can find a local car seat inspection, where experts confirm that a child’s car seat is installed correctly and make any necessary adjustments. Visit the Texas Department of Health and Human Services website for a car seat inspection event or a local station near you.
Older children should always wear a seatbelt to help minimize injuries caused by a collision with another vehicle.
How The Button Law Firm Has Helped Texas Children and Families Get Justice After a Wreck
Our experienced and compassionate Texas legal team at The Button Law Firm focuses on child injury cases. We have helped families across the Lone Star State seek and secure justice after a child experienced serious injuries in a car wreck caused by a negligent driver. We are highly skilled in the complexities of injury cases involving children. We will even handle communicating with insurance companies on your behalf so that you can focus on helping your child heal from their injuries.
Take a look at how we have helped other families move forward after a car wreck:
- BLF Lawyers Secure Settlement for Wylie Family in Distracted Driver Case
- Beaumont Family Injured in Wreck Can Move Forward Thanks to BLF
- BLF Gets Justice for Family Seriously Injured by Distracted Driver
How Can I Hold a Negligent Driver Accountable for Harming My Child? Contact The Button Law Firm.
If your child was physically or emotionally injured in a car wreck caused by a negligent driver anywhere in Texas, our team of experienced and compassionate child injury lawyers at The Button Law Firm can help. We’re dedicated to advocating for you and your family. We are ready to listen and fight for your family to get justice and move forward. Our lawyers at The Button Law Firm are recognized on the prestigious Texas Super Lawyers list, and we can help guide you after a traumatizing incident involving your child. We work on contingency, meaning we don’t charge you or collect any upfront fees to get started on your case. Get a free case evaluation by calling us at 214-699-4409, emailing us at [email protected], or filling out a contact form.
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