Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Car Seats Can Prevent Serious Child Injury and Death
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading cause of child deaths for kids ages 1-14 are motor vehicle accidents. Many auto accidents are so severe that there are no survivors, but other times fatalities and serious child injuries can be avoided.
Did you know that over 57% of deaths for children ages 0-15 were due to the fact that the child was not restrained in the car? The national misuse rate for child safety seats is over 80%. Car seats can save lives, but it is important that certain measures are taken to ensure a safe travel experience for a child.
Safety Tips to Prevent Child Injury in a Car Accident
The 10 basic rules that parents should follow to protect children in motor vehicle accident include:
- Children under 12 should always ride in the back seat.
- A child should remain in a car seat or a booster seat until he or she can be seated properly in a seat belt (at least 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches).
- Rear-facing car seats should never be placed in the front seat where there is an active frontal airbag.
- A baby should be kept rear-facing for as long as possible. Children under the age of 1 should always use a rear-facing car seat.
- Keep an eye out for recent recalls of child car seats.
- Make sure of proper car seat installation.
- The harness should be snug on the child and the car seat should be tightly attached to the vehicle.
- Have the car seat inspected by a certified technician who can make sure it is properly installed.
- Avoid used car seats.
- Always pay attention when driving to ensure everyone's safety.
Choosing a Car Seat for Your Child
There are many types of car seats available and it can be very confusing for parents and caregivers. It can be overwhelming trying to decide if an infant car seat, convertible car seat, combination car seat or booster seat is most appropriate.
Do your research before choosing a car seat. Pay attention to weight limits, height requirements and other features to make sure you are buying the right car seat for your child.
The National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration has created a five star rating system that can be used to evaluate car seats. Ratings are given for the evaluation of instructions, vehicle installation features, evaluation of labels and securing the child.
Defective car seats can cause serious injuries to children. Therefore, it is important to be informed about car seat recalls. Parents and caregivers can sign up to receive recall information via email through the Office of Defects Investigation or they can regularly check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website.
If your child was injured by a defective car seat, contact the Boston child injury lawyers at Kiley Law Group, LLP to explore your legal options.
Call 1-888-208-1695 today for FREE expert advice regarding your case.
