Chances are, at some point in your life, you’ll face the task of deciding what to do when your grown child gets into their first car accident. It can be difficult and stressful for any adult, let alone a parent who feels like they should know what to do in every situation.
This blog post will help guide you through this process so that you can take care of your loved one while also taking care of yourself.
What To Do When Your Grown Child Gets Into Their First Car Accident
Image Credit: Pixabay
Don’t Panic
A car accident is never easy to deal with, but it becomes even more traumatic when your child gets into the driver’s seat. It doesn’t matter if they are driving on their own or riding as a passenger; getting into an accident can leave you feeling very helpless and vulnerable.
Take a deep breath.
If this sounds like something that has happened to you (or will happen), then ask them what exactly happened. Don’t be afraid to mention that you were worried and why because it is a standard way for a parent to react in this situation. However, try not to freak out or say things that might scare your child even more than they already are.
Get to the Scene of the Accident
Once you are there, assess the situation and find out if anyone is injured. If they are visibly hurt, help them to a safe location nearby before calling for emergency services unless it’s an immediately life-threatening injury that requires first aid treatment immediately.
Get a Lawyer
As soon as you know your child is okay and that there are no severe injuries, the first thing you need to do is call a car accident lawyer. It doesn’t matter if it was an accident or someone else’s fault; they can still sue your child for causing damage to another person’s property (even if they both agree not to take legal action). In addition, the lawyer will help you with any insurance issues that arise.
Check With Insurance
When your grown child gets into their first car accident, one of the things you don’t want to do is panic. The other thing that’s good not to do is get into an argument with your child about how they were driving or who was at fault in the crash. Instead, you should check with insurance (if applicable) and take care of any injuries or property damage.
Document the Incident
As soon as you hear the news of your child’s first car accident, write down everything that happened. This way, it will be easier to recall what exactly occurred and when certain events took place. In addition, the more information recorded, the better off you’ll be in legal matters or if you need to make any insurance claims. Finally, if possible, and if applicable, take pictures of the scene and your child’s car before having it towed away to fix.
Instill Responsible Driving
Don’t immediately jump to blame the other driver. If you do, your child will learn that it’s okay to be rude and start this kind of behavior too. It is essential to remain calm in a car accident situation because if they see how stress can affect even their parents, they might try not to get themselves worked up.
You should also teach your children the dangers of drinking and driving, even if they are underage themselves. In many accidents, there are one or both intoxicated drivers with alcohol which is why you want to ensure that your child knows how serious this can be before it happens to them too.
If your son or daughter is at fault, you’ll probably be on the hook financially. If your child is at fault and they don’t have their insurance policy, likely, you will also need to pay for any cost associated with damage done to others’ property or injuries.
Conclusion
As a parent, you will never want to see your child in an accident. However, if they are going to have one, it should happen while they’re still learning and getting experience. With these tips, you are sure to manage the situation better.
