As children, we all took spills as we learned how to walk, climb and ride a bike. Many of us tested our limits by risky behavior such as jumping off of the roof or sliding down the stairs on a homemade bobsled, and we got injured doing so. As a result, we often think of falls as a part of childhood.
However, new research shows that falls during early childhood may be less innocent than we think. In fact, a new study reveals that they are a leading cause of head injuries in young children. They are responsible for 77 percent of the head injuries that occur in children under 2, and 38 percent of head injuries in children between 2 and 12 years old.
The study, which was conducted by the University of California’s Davis School of Medicine and published in the New England Journal of Medicine, also reported that many brain injuries in children are the result of bike accidents and car accidents.
The study noted that bike helmets and seatbelts can help protected children from suffering brain injuries in these types of accidents, but even these precautions aren’t 100 percent effective. That’s why it’s so important to take a child who has been involved in a car or bike accident to a hospital for an evaluation.
If a brain injury has occurred, it is important to start treatment right away to help promote the best outcome. If the accident was caused by negligence on behalf of another driver, it may be possible to be compensated for all medical expenses through a personal injury lawsuit.
Ultimately, while minor falls might be a part of life for young children, serious accidents can cause lasting damage.
For more information on pursuing a personal injury claim following a serious accident please visit our Wilmington Personal Injury Attorneys page.
