Auto Accident Cases Involving Children

‍When the Unthinkable Happens

There’s nothing more terrifying than seeing your child hurt. One moment, life is normal — the next, everything changes. A crash. The ambulance. The fear. The uncertainty.
For Michigan parents, that kind of heartbreak cuts deep. And while people may call it an “accident,” you know it’s more than that — it’s someone’s carelessness, someone’s negligence, that put your child in harm’s way.

At Marko Law, we understand that a child’s injury is never minor — not physically, not emotionally, and not financially. Even a so-called “fender bender” can lead to long-term trauma, medical bills, and lasting fear. Children’s bodies are still developing, which means the damage can linger for years.

That’s why our Detroit trial team fights relentlessly for injured children and their families. We’ve helped parents across Michigan find answers — and accountability — after tragedy. Led by nationally recognized trial attorney Jon Marko, our firm has secured multi-million-dollar verdicts for Michigan families, including some of the largest injury and civil rights verdicts in the state.

When your child’s future is on the line, we fight hard — and we don’t back down.

Understanding Auto Accidents Involving Children

“Child-involved auto accidents” cover a range of devastating situations — and sadly, they happen every day across Michigan. These crashes may involve:

• Children as passengers in a family or school vehicle
• Young pedestrians struck while crossing the street or walking home
• Children on bicycles or scooters hit by distracted or speeding drivers
• Victims of reckless or intoxicated drivers who fail to notice kids near the road

Children are especially vulnerable in traffic accidents. Their smaller size and developing bodies mean they suffer more severe injuries from the same forces that adults might survive. According to the CDC, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of fatal crashes involving children — and every single one is preventable.

In Michigan, cases involving minors are handled differently under our No-Fault Insurance Law. For instance, a child’s claim for medical coverage or pain and suffering may extend beyond standard no-fault limits, and the statute of limitations is often longer

Every child’s case is unique — and navigating Michigan’s complex auto insurance laws requires a skilled trial team that knows how to fight for families. That’s where Marko Law steps in.

Common Causes of Auto Accidents Involving Children

Tragic crashes involving children often stem from preventable negligence — the kind that no parent should ever have to forgive. Common causes include:

• Distracted driving: Texting, GPS use, and even eating behind the wheel can take a driver’s eyes off the road for just one second — and that’s all it takes.
• Reckless or impaired driving: Speeding, running red lights, or driving under the influence puts everyone — especially kids — at risk.
• Failure to yield in school zones or neighborhoods: Drivers who ignore speed limits and crosswalks often cause devastating injuries to children walking to or from school.
• Poor child restraint use or defective car seats: Improperly installed seats or faulty harnesses can turn a minor crash into a tragedy.
• Vehicle or seatbelt defects: Manufacturing failures that compromise safety — learn more about what qualifies as a defect under U.S. law.
• School transportation or daycare negligence: When a school bus driver, daycare provider, or staff member fails to follow safety rules, children can pay the price.

Every one of these causes represents more than statistics — they represent lives forever changed. Parents deserve answers. Children deserve justice.

Common Injuries Children Suffer in Auto Accidents

When a child is injured in a crash, the physical and emotional consequences can last a lifetime. Children are still growing — which means even “minor” injuries can interfere with development, learning, and emotional well-being.

At Marko Law, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating these injuries can be. Below are some of the most common — and most serious — injuries children face after an auto accident:

• Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even a mild concussion can cause long-term cognitive or behavioral challenges. Severe TBIs can lead to permanent disabilities, impacting every part of a child’s future.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to a child’s spinal cord can cause paralysis or chronic pain, often requiring a lifetime of medical care and rehabilitation. See the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) for more about these life-altering injuries.
• Broken Bones, Internal Bleeding, and Crush Injuries: Kids’ bones heal differently than adults’, and internal injuries are not always visible right away. Swift medical attention is crucial.
• Emotional Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress: Car accidents are terrifying — especially for a child. Many develop nightmares, anxiety, or a fear of riding in vehicles again. These invisible wounds matter just as much as physical ones.
• Wrongful Death: The unthinkable loss of a child is every parent’s worst nightmare. Michigan law allows families to pursue justice through a wrongful death claim — learn more about your rights under Michigan’s wrongful death statute.

At Marko Law, we don’t just see the medical reports — we see the child, the family, and the future at stake. Our team works with leading pediatric experts to build the strongest possible case for recovery.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Child’s Injuries?

Accountability matters — especially when it comes to children. Michigan law allows families to pursue claims against anyone whose negligence or misconduct caused the crash. Depending on the facts of your case, responsible parties may include:

• Negligent Drivers: Those who text, speed, or drive under the influence can — and should — be held fully accountable.
• Vehicle Owners: Under Michigan’s Owner’s Liability Rule, the person who owns the car can be liable even if someone else was driving.
• Employers of Commercial Drivers: When a company’s employee causes a crash while on the job, the employer may be legally responsible under the doctrine of respondeat superior.
• Government Entities: If unsafe road conditions, missing signage, or negligent maintenance contributed to the accident, a city or state agency may share fault — though these cases have special filing deadlines and immunity exceptions.
• Manufacturers of Defective Car Seats or Vehicles: When a seatbelt, airbag, or child safety seat fails, the manufacturer can be held liable for product defects.

At Marko Law, we leave no stone unturned. We investigate every party, uncover every failure, and fight to make sure no one escapes responsibility for hurting a child.

Compensation Available in Michigan Child Injury Cases

No amount of money can erase the trauma of seeing your child suffer. But fair compensation can ease the financial and emotional burden — and help provide for your child’s recovery and care.

In Michigan, families may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical Expenses: Emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment — both now and in the future.
• Pain and Suffering: For the physical pain, emotional trauma, and mental distress your child endures.
• Loss of Companionship and Emotional Distress: For the deep emotional toll a serious injury takes on a family.
• Educational or Therapeutic Care Costs: Including tutoring, adaptive learning tools, counseling, or specialized rehabilitation programs.
• Punitive Damages: In rare but serious cases of reckless or intentional misconduct, additional damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer (Cornell Law: punitive damages).

Under Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Law, recovery can be complex. Generally, a family can pursue a lawsuit only when a child suffers a “serious impairment of body function” — a high legal threshold that insurance companies often try to deny.

What To Do After a Child Is Injured in an Auto Accident

If your child has been injured in a crash, every decision you make next matters. Follow these steps to protect your child’s health, your rights, and your legal options:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Care – Even if injuries seem minor, hidden trauma like internal bleeding or concussion can be life-threatening.
2. Report the Accident – Contact the police to create an official report, and notify your insurance company promptly.
3. Do Not Discuss Fault or Post on Social Media – Anything you say — even an innocent comment — can be used against you later by insurance defense attorneys.
4. Contact a Child Injury Attorney Before Accepting Any Offer – Insurance companies are skilled at minimizing child claims. Talk to Marko Law before signing anything.
5. Preserve Evidence – Save photos, medical records, school absence reports, and witness information. These details often make or break a case.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. We’ll walk you through every step — from the first call to the final verdict.

Your Child Deserves Justice — Not Excuses

No parent should have to fight alone.
When your child is hurt because someone was careless, you deserve a law firm that treats your case like family. At Marko Law, we don’t tolerate excuses from corporations, insurance companies, or negligent drivers. We fight — fiercely, compassionately, and relentlessly — until justice is served.

Every moment counts. Time limits apply, and evidence can fade. Don’t wait to protect your child’s rights.

Contact Marko Law for a Free Case Evaluation

📞 Phone: +1-313-777-7777
📍 Main Office: 220 W. Congress, 4th Floor, Detroit, MI 48226
🌐 Website: www.markolaw.com