Can Children Be Compensated After a Car Accident in Florida?

Car accidents are scary enough for adults, but when a child is injured in one of these events, parents can have an even harder time with the situation. No parent wants to see their children suffer harm in any way, and because of the catastrophic injuries and death that can result from a car accident, auto collisions that hurt children are particularly dreadful. 

You may know that if you are harmed in a car accident you can take legal action to secure the compensation you need for your losses. But you may not know what rules apply to children who are injured in car accidents in Florida. For more information on your rights and ability to obtain compensation for injuries to your child after a car accident, you can connect with an experienced Tampa car accident injury attorney at Fulgencio Law.

Car Accident Claims and Child Injuries

Like all car accident claims, child car accident claims do not have an average settlement amount. The reason why is that each car accident will have its own outcome. The types of damages suffered and their severity will be different from one accident to the next. Also, when a claim settles the amount that a victim secures is usually not made public so trying to get to an average settlement amount can really not be done. As a result, if you want to understand what your claim may be worth, connecting while an experienced Tampa car accident attorney at Fulgencio Law can help with this.

Florida car accident laws make it impossible for a minor to file their own claim. But, parents can do this on their behalf. Then, the court will step in to verify the terms of the settlement to make sure that it is used for the benefit of the child and not to enrich the parents. This is the case for settlements that are not more than $15,000. Larger settlements must have a court-appointed guardian who will manage the settlement and when the child becomes a legal adult at age 18, they will then receive the funds from their settlement.

In the most devastating situations where the child is permanently disabled from a car accident, parents may be compensated for their losses. Florida allows filial consortium claims in these situations. Damages here could include loss of companionship, services, and comfort. Not all states allow this type of claim, but Florida does.

Last, if the negligent party acted in a way that would be considered grossly negligent, then punitive damages could be added to a final settlement amount. Punitive damages are an extra amount of money that is meant to punish the negligent party for their actions. These damages are not commonly awarded to victims who file personal injury claims but in some cases, the details of how a car accident happens will warrant them. 

Speak with a Florida Car Accident Attorney

Compensation is available to your child if they are injured in a car accident in Florida. To learn more about your legal options and how to recover compensation for the damages your child suffered, you can call the Tampa child injury lawyers at Fulgencio Law today at (813) 463-0123 to schedule your free consultation.