Children After a Car Accident: Warning Signs and What to Do With the Car Seat
Your child was in the back seat. They cried for a while, calmed down, and now they seem fine. You are sore too, on the phone with insurance, with the car on a tow truck.
It is easy to assume that if nothing is bleeding, nothing happened. But a small child is not going to tell you “my neck hurts” or “I feel dizzy.” After a crash, you are the one who has to notice the changes.
Call 911 or go to the ER right away if your child has any of these signs after a blow to the head:
Seizures · not recognizing people or places · repeated vomiting · unusual behavior, confusion or agitation · loss of consciousness, growing drowsiness or trouble waking · slurred speech, weakness or numbness · a headache that gets worse · one pupil larger than the other.
In babies and toddlers, also: crying that will not stop and cannot be soothed, or refusing to nurse or eat.
Also go right away for belly pain or bruising, especially along the seatbelt line, or trouble breathing.
What to watch for in the days after
According to the CDC, concussion signs can take hours or days to appear, and they vary with age. Young children often cannot explain how they feel, so watch for changes in behavior.
| Age | What you may notice |
|---|---|
| Birth to 4 years | More crying or irritability than usual · wants to be held more · refuses to nurse or eat · sleeps more or less · loses interest in play · more tantrums · speaks more slowly · seems dazed or clumsy |
| 5 years and up | Seems dazed or confused · trouble remembering or concentrating · answers more slowly · clumsy or unsteady · slower reactions · changes in mood or behavior |
Call your pediatrician the same day as the accident, even if your child seems fine, and describe exactly how the crash happened. Explain where they were sitting, whether they were in a car seat and whether they hit anything. If you notice any of these changes in the following days, call again. Read more about concussion after a car accident and delayed symptoms.
When the fear stays
Some children have nightmares, refuse to get in the car or cling to their parents after a crash. That is common at first. If it lasts for weeks or affects school or sleep, mention it to the pediatrician, who can point you to a child mental health professional.
Does the car seat have to be replaced?
NHTSA recommends replacing the seat after a moderate or severe crash. A crash only counts as minor if all five conditions are met:
A crash is minor only if all of this is true
- The vehicle could be driven after the crash.
- The door nearest the car seat was not damaged.
- Nobody in the vehicle was injured.
- The air bags did not deploy.
- The car seat has no visible damage.
If even one is missing, replace it. And even if all five are met, the manual has the last word: some manufacturers require a new seat after any crash. Check the manual or the brand’s website.
In the meantime:
- Do not sell, give away or donate it: a crashed seat can have damage you cannot see.
- Photograph the seat and keep the receipt for the new one.
- Ask the insurer whether it covers the replacement, and include it in your claim.
- Do not put your child in the car without a seat “just for now.” In Utah, children under 8 must ride in a child restraint unless they are 57 inches or taller, in which case they use a properly fastened seat belt.
The rule also applies in taxis and on Uber or Lyft rides: the adult traveling with the child must bring the seat. If the crash happened on one of those rides, see who pays in an Uber or Lyft accident.
The claim includes your child too
If your child was hurt, their medical bills are part of the case. Keep everything separate from yours: pediatric visits, receipts and notes on the changes you see. If you are unsure where to begin, the first steps are in what to do in the first 24 hours after an accident.
The short version
After a crash, your child will not tell you what is going on, so watch their behavior for several days and call the pediatrician that same day. For any danger sign, go to the ER. And check the car seat: if the five conditions for a minor crash are not all met, or if the manufacturer says so, it has to be replaced.
Sources
This article is informational and does not replace an evaluation by a doctor or pediatrician. If you were in a car accident in the Salt Lake City area, Car Injury Clinic (Taylorsville, UT) offers same-day evaluation, free transportation and coordination with your attorney. Call 385-242-8571 or book an appointment.
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