Car Seat Safety for Children
The first time you drive home from the hospital with your newborn baby, it’s natural to feel hyper vigilant, nervous and anxious. After some time, most parents become complacent and tend to overlook the very real dangers associated with driving with children. It’s necessary for parents to drive safely, but it’s equally important to keep your child safe by providing them with age-appropriate restraints.
Car Seat Recommendations Based on Age
The number one thing parents can do to protect their children in the event of an accident is to purchase and properly install age-appropriate car seats. These safety seats are specifically designed to withstand the impacts of a car accident. There have been numerous reports of accidents that totaled the vehicle, but the car seat and child were unharmed due to the seat.
- Infant Rear-Facing Car Seat: Rear-facing car seats are the safest seats for youngsters because of the positioning of the seat. The necks of infants are still developing, so it’s critical that they are kept in this position until they are developed enough to be turned around. Most states have laws that require parents to continue using this seat until about two or three years old, but it is suggested that they stay in these seats as long as possible.
- Forward-Facing Car Seat: These seats are best suited for children ranging from four to seven years old. Verify that your child meets the age, height and weight requirements before making this switch. The chest clip should always be at the same height as the armpits, and seats should be secured to the tether anchor in the backseat rather than the belt.
- Booster Seats: Once your child outgrows the car seat, a booster seat will help the child remain safe with the vehicle’s belt. The child should remain in a booster until they can sit properly with the seat belt. Children under 13-years-old should always ride in the backseat.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents are the top cause of death for children ages one to 13. Car accidents can happen at any time, and the results can be devastating when the proper precautions have not been taken. Car seats are designed to protect your child in even the most devastating crashes. There is very little that parents can do to prevent another driver’s negligence from causing a collision, but following these guidelines will keep your child if the worst happens.
Contact a Linwood Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in New Jersey
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in New Jersey or Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party, or their insurance company, to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side and fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. Richard A. Stoloff represents clients injured from car accidents in Linwood and Philadelphia. Call 609.957.6810 (Linwood) or 215.988.9800 (Philadelphia), or email us to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 605 New Road Linwood, NJ 08221, as well as an office at 1500 JFK Blvd, Suite 520 Philadelphia, PA 19102.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.