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Experienced Detroit accidents lawyer know that part of keeping children safe in the event of an accident, is making sure the child is securely restrained. Most parents would not willingly cut corners in this area, but according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, three out of four car seats are improperly installed. This means that in case of an accident, there is more of a chance of injuries to those in improperly installed seats. Furthermore, many parents have their child in a seat that the child’s body is not quite ready for.
Detroit Accidents Lawyer Reviews Tips For Car Seat Use
- First of all, the current recommendation is that all children two and younger be rear-facing. The old recommendation was that children stay rear facing until one, but recent research has shown that children’s neck muscles are more fully developed at age two. This means the muscles are better able to support the child’s head should the vehicle be involved in a motor vehicle accident.
- Choosing the appropriate car seat for the height and weight of the child is another appropriate step. Often parents “graduate” their young child to booster seats before a child is big enough. This can be detrimental for a child in an accident.
- It is important to use the LATCH system when possible, which includes a strap from the top of the seat to tether the top as well. All seats and vehicles manufactured after 2002 are required to be equipped with the LATCH system. The system was created in an effort to make correct installation easier for parents. If a seat is forward facing, the top tether should be in place.
- It is important that a seat not move at all when installed. That means it should not be able to move side to side or up and down when pushed by an adult.
- Although some used car seats may be ok, unless you are confident you know the entire history of a car seat, including whether it was ever involved in a crash and know it is not expired, you don’t want to risk your child’s safety.
- Children younger than 13 should ride in the back seat whenever possible.
These steps help prevent deaths in motor vehicle crashes. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, even though deaths among children 16 years old and younger has dropped 45 percent in the past decade, it is still the leading cause of death for children ages four and older. If you or your loved one has suffered serious personal injury in any type of motor vehicle accident, it is important to speak with a Detroit accidents lawyer who can review your case and advise you on what steps you should take.
Hurt in a car crash? Contact a Detroit Accidents Lawyer
Call Davis Law Center today at (248) 865-7740