When the First Call Is to Mom or Dad: Helping Your Child Through a Car Accident

July 3, 2025

I asked a 19 year old relative recently what they would do if they were in a car accident.  It is no surprise but the answer was “Call my mom”.


 I asked the question to try and better understand how to reach younger people who have been in car accidents and can use my help, but the answer I got triggered an interesting thought: what would a car accident lawyer tell a parent to tell their child who just got in a car accident?


This Blog is an attempt to answer the question: “What do I tell my adult child who just got in a car accident?”


Step 1: Get the Facts


I would begin by asking questions to make sure you know what is going on; and they would be some mix of:


Are you ok?

Is everyone else ok?

Are you in a safe place?

What happened?

These questions help you quickly assess their safety and the situation at hand.


Step 2: Reassure Them and Focus on Safety


Then I would go with some general advice:


Get to a safe place if you aren’t already.

Don’t panic; just breathe, we will get through this.

Helping them stay calm is one of the most important things you can do in the moment.


Step 3: Immediate Actions to Take at the Scene


Depending on the severity of the incident I would then give the following advice:


Call 911 (Both police or for ambulance or fire support).

Call your insurance company.

Take pictures of the cars, the accident scene, and any damage or injuries.

Gather contact information and insurance details from all other drivers and any witnesses. 

If you can drive the car home safely then great; otherwise call a tow truck (or have your insurance or the police call a tow truck).

Either get a ride to the hospital or home or have someone pick you up. 

These steps will help protect your child both physically and legally.


Step 4: Regroup and Next Steps


After the dust settles:


Talk to your child about what happened.

Decide together what to do next. 

Determine if your child needs a lawyer. If you’re not sure, review our blog “When/Why Should You Hire An Attorney After A Car Accident.”

If needed, call a lawyer and schedule a free consultation.

There is no downside to calling a lawyer after a car collision. They will be able to quickly determine if they can help you or not, and at least at Hunking Law, consultations are free. A good lawyer can guide you through the process and will ensure that your child’s rights are protected.


Conclusion


I have no idea if this blog will be helpful, but I am hopeful that someone somewhere reads it and they are a little more prepared for this situation than they otherwise would have been. 


If your child has been in a car crash in Oregon and you’re not sure what to do next, don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here to help. Call us today at 541-HUNKING, 541-486-5464.

January 7, 2026
What are some special complications associated with motorcycle accidents? Bottom-Line-up-front: There are small variations with a motorcycle crash in Oregon as opposed to a car crash, but many aspects remain the same.
December 12, 2025
This is an interesting question in December of 2025 to answer because the rain and the flooding is ongoing and expected to cause more disruption in the following days and weeks. These weather conditions increase the risk of car accidents, and when a crash happens in bad weather it raises important questions about liability and the extent of any driver’s negligence. I can’t speak for Washington, but if we look at the issue with the lens of the impact of weather on Negligence in Oregon it actually shows the versatility of the Common Law system and how it can adapt itself to any factual circumstance. Let’s dive right into it:
Woman sitting at table, face in hands, appearing sad. Natural light, indoors.
By Hunking Law October 21, 2025
South Eugene families' guide to understanding wrongful death legal representation. Learn about the claims process, damages, and what to expect from your attorney.
October 9, 2025
Dealing with the aftermath of an auto accident is painful and stressful enough without having to worry about paying for your medical care. People often assume that the other driver’s insurance will cover everything, only to find out that the limits fall far short of their actual expenses. That’s where understanding your options – and getting help from someone who knows the system – becomes essential.
Person's hand touching a dented, blue car bumper, likely after a collision, outdoors.
By Hunking Law October 7, 2025
Philomath residents' comprehensive guide to legal options after hit and run accidents. Learn immediate steps, compensation sources, and investigation strategies.
A damaged motorcycle lies on its side on a road after a collision.
By Hunking Law September 23, 2025
Springfield motorcyclists' guide to knowing when legal help is essential. Learn about unique challenges in motorcycle cases and timing for contacting an attorney.
September 17, 2025
Bottom-Line-Up-Front: Probably not The Long Answer: In a typical car crash where no one is injured; say for example your car is hit by a drunk driver leaving a football game in the parking lot of Autzen Stadium, an attorney does not provide a ton of value to a person beyond a single conversation. There are plenty of repair shops and parts sellers so finding the price to repair a vehicle is pretty simple without much negotiating room. There are also plenty of people buying and selling vehicles so even if the vehicle is totaled, finding the value of a replacement vehicle is pretty straightforward. That said, it is helpful to speak with an attorney to at least understand your options. Knowing the difference between the process for going through your own insurance (e.g. that you can get the deductible paid back by the insurance company of the at-fault driver) and the process for going through the at-fault insurance company directly. I have had dozens if not hundreds of those conversations with people over the years and I hope they have been helpful. It takes a good amount of time to understand how the systems interact, but for me it is pretty simple to explain it to someone and then give them the chance to ask questions. To convey this information even broader than we can currently, (a single conversation at a time) Hunking Law is currently developing resources to help make this understandable on our website such that more people can get the information any time of day. I hope this was helpful, if you need or want to talk to an attorney in the Eugene/Springfield area about a car accident please consider us and call Hunking Law at (541)486-5464 today.
Damaged white semi-truck after a collision; front fender torn and debris on the ground.
By Hunking Law September 9, 2025
Albany residents' guide to finding qualified truck accident attorneys. Learn what makes trucking cases complex and how to choose the right legal representation.
Woman taking photos of car accident damage with her phone.
By Hunking Law September 9, 2025
Complete guide for Eugene residents navigating car accident claims. Learn Oregon laws, compensation options, and how local traffic patterns affect your case.
Person with a broken arm in a cast and sling, wearing an orange shirt.
By Hunking Law September 9, 2025
Essential guide for Corvallis residents choosing the right personal injury attorney. Learn what to look for, key questions to ask, and how Oregon law affects your case.
Show More