In the adrenaline rush that follows a collision, a parent’s first instinct is often to check on their children. If any child seems hurt or scared, a parent’s instinct will be to pick them up or move them.
This urge is deeply human, born out of love and a desire to protect. However, moving a child, especially one who may be injured, can cause more harm than good in the moments immediately following a crash. Understanding the risks and knowing what to do instead can make a critical difference in a child’s recovery and long-term health.
What are the risks?
Children are physically more vulnerable than adults. Their bones, muscles and spinal structures are still developing. This makes them more susceptible to certain injuries, particularly head, neck and spinal trauma.
Moving a child immediately after a car accident, especially without the proper training or equipment, could worsen internal injuries or turn a treatable spinal injury into a permanent disability.
What might appear as a simple bruise or discomfort could be masking serious underlying trauma. For precisely this reason, paramedics and first responders are trained to stabilize the head, neck and spine before attempting to move someone.
The importance of immobilization
The best course of action is often to keep the child calm, still and reassured while waiting for emergency medical services. Unless there is an immediate danger, such as fire or risk of explosion, allowing medical professionals to handle the child’s movement is the safest approach.
Immobilization tools like cervical collars, backboards or straps may look scary. However, it’s a precautionary method to prevent further injury. Trained responders use these tools to reduce the risk of secondary trauma while transporting a child to a hospital for a thorough evaluation.
The moments after a car accident are chaotic and emotionally charged, often especially for parents. But resisting the instinct to move your child could be one of the most important decisions you make during that moment. Once the immediate medical needs of the situation have been attended to, parents shouldn’t hesitate to enlist legal support and hold the at-fault parties accountable.