Traumatic Injuries in Teenagers
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. Most people associate teenagers with risk-taking behavior. Everyone is a teenager at some point, and most people remember feeling some sort of invincibility. This feeling can lead teenagers to take unnecessary risks that might lead to severe injuries. Even though children are resilient, teenagers are still involved in fatal accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the top five causes of death among teenagers are:
- Accidents
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Homicide
- Suicide
At the top of the list are accidents, including auto accidents. According to statistics published in 2008, over 6,000 teenagers were involved in a fatal car accident during that year alone. Clearly, this is a significant problem. Studies have explored some of the reasons why teenagers are more prone to having car accidents. Some of the results from studies performed by MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) include:
- About 25 percent of fatal car accidents involving teens are related to underage drinking.
- Over 5 percent of 16 and 17-year-olds report drinking and driving in the past.
- 13 percent of high-school seniors report that they have driven after drinking at some point in the past.
- Children who start drinking at a young age are more likely to be involved in a fatal car accident.
- 60 percent of teenagers involved in a fatal car accident were not wearing their seatbelt at the time of the collision.
Clearly, there are many reasons why teenagers could sustain a traumatic injury in an accident.
Common Traumatic Injuries in Teenagers
Because of the risk-taking behavior, there are several traumatic injuries that teenagers tend to wind up with. Some of these include:
Traumatic Brain Injuries: Unfortunately, many teenagers do not wear a helmet when engaging in risky behavior. These traumatic brain injuries could be anything from a concussion to an intracerebral hemorrhage. Statistics published by Sutter Health in California revealed that 7 out of 8 teenagers reported not wearing a helmet while riding a bike. These brain injuries can be deadly.
Chest Contusions: Teenagers who are involved in a car accident often wind up with chest trauma as a result. Because teenagers often forget to wear a seatbelt, they have no restraint on impact. This means that their chest can strike the dashboard or steering wheel, leading to rib fractures. These bone fragments can even pierce vital organs, such as the lungs and the heart.
These severe injuries can lead to long-term impacts on growth and development.
Impacts on Growth and Development
Because teenagers are still growing, injuries to organs can cause crucial bodily development. Damage to the brain can make it difficult for teenagers to learn and retain knowledge. This could manifest as poor school performance, emotional lability, and difficulty sleeping. Damage to the heart and lungs can prevent teenagers from playing sports. If bone fractures go through the growth plate, this could lead to a limb-length discrepancy. This means that one leg or arm could be shorter than the other, limiting mobility. For this reason, it is essential to seek medical care quickly after an accident. Early diagnosis and treatment might prevent these complications.
Legal Assistance is Helpful
There are many reasons why someone might find a consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Sacramento helpful. An attorney has been through all of this before and can help a family with completing insurance claims, filing paperwork, and even court filings if necessary. It is important to find a lawyer who has both the expertise and compassion to serve your needs.
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Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento. If your child has sustained traumatic injuries in a car accident, please call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. I am happy to provide friendly legal advice, free of charge.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
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