The few moments it takes to buckle your child into a car seat could save their life. Car seat statistics show that automobile accidents are the leading cause of death in children ages 3-14. While most parents know the importance of car seat restraints, 26% of children under the age of 8 who died in automobile accidents in 2014 were not restrained by age-appropriate car seats.
Why it is Important
Automobile travel can be dangerous, so it is important to minimize the possibility of injury for your children in the event of a car accident. In a study done by the CDC, they found that in one year, more than 618,000 young children between 0 and 2 often rode in the car without any sort of car seat or restraint.
Car seats can reduce fatality by 54%, but only if they are being used and installed properly.
Car Seat Rules
Read the instruction manual before installing any seat or booster into your car. You should be aware of the different types of car seats, and which car seat is appropriate for your child given their current age. Children under the age of 1 should always be placed in rear-facing car seats to reduce stress to the child’s neck and spine. After a year, you can switch over to a forward-facing seat. Later, children who are at least 40 pounds and over the age of 4 can be safely switched to a booster seat. A child in their car seat should always be seated in the backseat of the car. In most situations, the middle seat is the safest position in the car. Car seats may not completely protect your child from injury during a car accident, but properly installed car seats can drastically reduce the likelihood of serious injury or death.
What to Do After an Accident
It is important to be a safe driver so you and your loved ones can reach your destination safely. The attorneys at Owen Patterson and Owen have specialized in auto accidents for over three decades. If you are involved in an automobile accident where a child has been injured, call us at 800.676.5295 or contact us. We are happy to help you understand what options you may have.
