Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Helping an Injured Child Cope with Stress after a Bicycle Accident (Part A)
Accidents are a frightening experience for any person, but they can be especially traumatic for a child. If your child has been injured in a bicycle accident in the Boston area and is experiencing a change in mood or behavior, he or she might be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in cases of child accidents in which the young victim has undergone a life-threatening experience, such as a bicycle accident. In addition to a child’s injuries, he or she will often struggle to return to life “as usual” because of strong feelings associated with helplessness, fear and anxiety.
PTSD Symptoms
Major symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder include:
- Recurring thoughts about the bicycle accident
- Flashbacks of the event
- Vivid memories of the bike accident
- Nightmares about the bicycle accident or similarly scary events
- Physical discomfort, including stomach upset and rapid pulse, when reminded of the accident
- Avoidance of anything associated with the event, including riding a bicycle or going near the area where the accident occurred. The child may also want to avoid automobiles, particularly if the bicycle accident involved a motor vehicle.
- Creating a mental block around details of the bicycle accident
- Depression or loss of interest in favorite activities or friends
- Intense and relentless fear of death
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Trouble concentrating
Many of these psychological symptoms may be exacerbated by a child’s injuries, including a head trauma, such as a concussion.
FREE CONSULTATIONS
If your child has been injured in a bicycle accident in Boston, Massachusetts you should contact an experienced child injury lawyer to determine liability. The State of Massachusetts has a statute of limitations that may prohibit you from filing a lawsuit if too much time has passed. Speak to a Boston child injury attorney at the Kiley Law Group for guidance on your personal injury case.
FREE Consultations: 1-888-208-1695.
Continue to Helping an Injured Child Cope with Stress after a Bicycle Accident (Part B) >>
