When a child is hurt, everything changes instantly. Playtime or a car ride can lead to serious injury due to someone else’s negligence. As parents, your sole focus is on their safety, their recovery, and making sure they’re okay.
At the same time, questions start to mount, including questions about medical care, responsibility, and what comes next. Our personal injury lawyers understand how overwhelming this moment can feel.
We know that serious childhood injuries don’t just affect the child. They impact the entire family. The Montgomery child injury lawyers at The Vance Law Firm understand the trauma caused by childhood accidents, and we’re here to protect your family’s legal rights.
Common Types of Accidents in Which Children May Be Injured
Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children and youth aged 1–14 years, according to the CDC. In 2023, close to a third of all child deaths in the U.S. (29.9%) were attributed to accidents.
There are several types of accidents in which children are most likely to be injured. These include:
- Motor Vehicle Crashes: Vehicle collisions are among the most common accidental child deaths in Alabama, with 24 children under the age of 16 killed in Alabama auto accidents in 2023. Most children killed in car crashes are not secured in car seats, booster seats, or by seat belts.
- Falls: Among children ages 1-14, falls were the leading cause of injury-related emergency department visits from 2019 to 2020.
- Drowning: Among preventable injuries, drowning is a significant cause of death for children ages 1–4. When pools are not properly secured or swimmers monitored, drownings are more likely.
- Dog Bites: Children often don’t understand the danger of trying to pet or play with an unfamiliar dog. A child’s yell, sudden movement, or running can surprise or frighten a dog, causing it to become defensive and bite.
- Burns and Fires: Burn injuries from building fires, scalding hot liquids, hot surfaces, or caustic chemicals are among the leading causes of non-fatal injuries in children.
Areas in Montgomery Where Child Injuries Are Most Likely to Occur
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), and local news reports, certain environments and scenarios pose a high risk of injury to children. These include:
- Daycares: Daycares are meant to be places where infants and very young children can receive the care and play they need to function and grow, but when care or supervision is neglected, children can suffer devastating or even fatal injuries.
- School Zones: Children on foot or bicycle near schools are particularly at risk of being injured in vehicle collisions during arrival and dismissal times. Parents waiting for their children may drive distracted, and small children crossing the street can be harder to see over the hoods of taller vehicles like buses and SUVs. Furthermore, negligent drivers often ignore reduced speed limits or designated crosswalks in school zones, which can lead to disastrous accidents.
- Recreational Areas and Playgrounds: Montgomery’s public parks and playgrounds, such as Oak Park, Cloverdale Park, and Gateway Park, may suffer from hazardous conditions such as poorly designed or maintained playground equipment and uneven pavement that can lead to falls and other injuries.
- High-Traffic Roadways and Intersections: In Montgomery, major corridors such as Eastern Boulevard, Federal Drive, Vaughn Road, Rosa L. Parks Avenue, South Court Street, Wares Ferry Road, and I-85 have been cited repeatedly in ALEA crash reports and local news for vehicle accidents involving child victims.
- Residential Neighborhoods: Residential roads are a common location for child pedestrian accidents, with children often playing and riding bikes and scooters in or near the road. Young children especially are more likely to run into the street unexpectedly without recognizing the danger of an approaching car.
What to Do If Your Child Was Injured Due to Another’s Negligence
When your child is severely injured, you may be worried, angry, frantic, and unsure what to do other than comfort them and try to get them help. The specifics of what to do next can vary depending on what type of accident they were involved in and where, but the most important steps generally follow the same four guidelines.
- Get your child medical attention as soon as possible and be sure to inform the attending healthcare professional how the injury was caused.
- Get the name of the at-fault party, and their insurance information. Outside of auto accidents, other forms of insurance may apply. For example, daycares, schools, and businesses should have liability insurance, and dog bites may be covered under homeowners’ insurance. If applicable, also request an incident report be filed by a manager, police officer, or other relevant authority and request a copy.
- Collect any evidence at the scene, such as photos of your child’s injuries and whatever hazard caused the injury. Also collect the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Speak to a child injury lawyer. The laws surrounding child injury claims can be complicated, and your child’s quality of life for their entire life going forward may be impacted. It is important to get an experienced lawyer on your side who can help ensure your family receives the maximum compensation possible.
Statute of Limitations for Child Personal Injury Claims in Alabama and Montgomery
Under Alabama Code § 6-2-38(l), the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Alabama is two years from the date of injury. However, important exceptions may apply when the injured party is a minor. Alabama considers those younger than 19 incapable of handling their own legal affairs, including filing a lawsuit.
In practical terms, this means the following for child injury cases:
- The two-year clock typically doesn’t start to run until the injured child’s 19th birthday (the age of majority in Alabama). Parents can also file on their child’s behalf at any time before this.
- Medical malpractice cases also have a two-year time limit for filing, though cases involving children under 4 years of age may be extended until their eighth birthday. A lawyer can help you determine if your child qualifies for an extension.
- Claims Against Municipalities – For claims against cities and towns, such as for falls on public sidewalks or in public parks and buildings, the injured party must provide written notice to the municipal clerk within six months of the injury. For claims against counties, an injured party has 12 months from the date of injury to file a claim. An exception to this rule applies for minor children, who have one year after reaching adulthood to present their claim against a county.
Montgomery Child Injury Accidents and Fatalities in the News
Montgomery is not always a safe place for our youngest and most vulnerable when negligent adults fail to take reasonable safety measures as simple as following traffic laws.
Examples of accidents in Montgomery where children were injured or tragically killed include:
- Child Struck by Vehicle Near Bellingrath School (February 2026): Montgomery Police responded to the 3300 block of South Court Street, in the area of Bellingrath School, after a single vehicle struck a child pedestrian. A witness later stated that warnings about rampant speeding and a lack of crossing guards in that area had been largely overlooked.
- Crash Claims Life of Montgomery Child and Leaves 4 Others Injured (August 2024): An SUV overturned on Interstate 85 and caused a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a 10-year-old and injured four others, including a 4-year-old and a 9-year-old.
Montgomery Area Medical Facilities Where Child Injuries Can Be Treated
In any injury accident, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if the injury does not seem severe at first. This is important for not only receiving prompt diagnosis and treatment but also serves as important evidence if an injury claim is filed later.
- Jackson Hospital Montgomery: Jackson Hospital is one of Montgomery’s principal acute care hospitals and provides emergency trauma services to pediatric patients. It serves as a critical-care destination for children brought in by emergency services following traffic crashes, falls, and other acute injuries.
- Baptist Health Montgomery: Baptist Health operates one of Montgomery’s major hospital campuses and partners with Pediatric Healthcare, LLC. It provides emergency and inpatient services to injured children in the metro area.
- Children’s of Alabama: For the most severe pediatric trauma cases, children in Montgomery are frequently transferred to Children’s of Alabama’s main campus in Birmingham. This institution is one of the top-ranked pediatric medical facilities in the United States.
- Montgomery Children’s Specialty Center: Montgomery Children’s Specialty Center is a pediatric healthcare facility that provides specialized care through a variety of services.
The Vance Law Firm Provides Aggressive Legal Representation in Child Injury Cases
We understand that child injuries are a devastating experience for parents and families. Whether a car collision, bicycle accident, dog bite, or fall injury, a child’s life can be changed forever after suffering an accident. At The Vance Law Firm Injury Lawyers, our skilled and compassionate legal team handles the legal matters associated with a personal injury so you and your child can focus on recovery and healing. To find out more about how we can help your child after their injury, contact us for a free initial consultation.
