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Emotional Distress in Children

When adults are hurt in an auto accident, they may see their lives seriously impacted by their physical injuries for quite some time. Children can also suffer from bodily trauma caused by car crashes; but with all things being equal, kids are generally more resilient and can recover from their physical injuries more quickly than adults can. However, when it comes to mental and emotional pain that arises after an accident, children are usually more severely affected than adults are.

A main reason for this is the inaccurate assumptions or conclusions that kids draw from auto accidents. For example, the child may believe that the crash (and the subsequent injuries or deaths) was his or her fault. He or she may also start viewing other life events through the "lens" of the traumatic accident, which may result in increased uncertainty, precariousness, and pain that is out of proportion to their importance (for example, a severe emotional outburst upon seeing a classmate twist an ankle in a sporting event).

Different types of emotional distress in children manifest itself depending on the youngster’s age. For instance, young kids below five years of age may experience:

• fear of separation from their parents or excessive "clinginess"
• whimpering, crying, or screaming
• trembling, shaking, or frightened facial expressions
• aimless motion or complete immobility
• regressive behaviors like bedwetting, thumb sucking, or fear of the dark

Children between the ages of 5 and 11 may experience:

• anxiety, depression, or feelings of guilt
• lack of focus, emotional numbness, or even complete withdrawal
• refusal or inability to go to school or reduced performance in school
• disruptive behavior, angry outbursts, or fighting
• "ghost" physical symptoms like stomach aches or headaches
• regressive behaviors like nightmares, irrational fears, or trouble sleeping

And kids between the ages of 12 and 17 may experience:

• depression, extreme guilt, and even suicidal thoughts
• nightmares or flashbacks, or avoidance of discussion or reminders of the accident
• emotional numbness, isolation, or withdrawal
• confusion, trouble sleeping, or "ghost" physical symptoms
• antisocial behavior, substance abuse, or problems with friends or peers
• reduced performance in school or refusal to go to school

So it's clear that emotional distress in children after an auto accident is nothing which should be dismissed or ignored. That's why the legal system allows accident plaintiffs to receive damages for emotional distress from a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit. Society recognizes that emotional distress can wreak havoc on a youngster's daily life; so the damages are designed to mitigate or treat the effects of the child's emotional distress.

A qualified auto accident attorney can answer any questions you might have about emotional distress in children from an auto accident and the impact it can have on them.



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Barry G. Doyle, P.C.
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Skokie, IL 60077
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Fax: 312.263.0153

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