Car Accidents and Child Car Seat Requirements

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death for children in the United States. 35% of children under the age of 12 who were killed in a car accident were not buckled up in any way. More than 121,000 were injured. Many of these injuries and deaths can be prevented with the proper use of seat belts, car seats, or booster seats.

This week is Child Passenger Safety Week which is a good reminder to check your child’s car seat to make sure it’s still the right fit by height and weight. Infants and toddlers should start out in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 2 years old or reach the maximum requirements in height or weight for their seat. Toddlers and preschoolers will most likely fit in a forward-facing car seat and should stay in the forward-facing car seat until they reach the maximum height or weight requirements according to the manufacturer. Children should then ride in a booster seat until they are about 12 years old. Children should ride in the back seat until the age of 13 as it offers the best protection.

In some states, seat belt laws are primary meaning a driver can be pulled over for a seat belt violation, including a car seat. Failure to properly use a car seat can have serious consequences. If your child is injured in a car accident and you fail to properly secure them, your ability to recover and damages for their injuries could be affected. If you have found yourself in this legal situation, contact one of our personal injury attorneys to see what legal options you may have by scheduling an appointment online.