Every parent wants their child to be safe. This is part of the reason that parents buy car safety seats for their children. The other part is that they are required by law. However, it is becoming increasingly known that just having a car seat is not always enough when a serious car accident occurs. Read on to find out why today’s car seats may not be enough and learn what you can do about it. If you need the legal opinion of an attorney regarding a past accident, please contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
The statistics may startle you
First, let us consider the most recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They found that car accidents are the leading cause of death for children 13 years and younger. Unfortunately, it gets worse – they also found that almost 45% of children who lost their lives in car accidents were not correctly secured in the vehicle they were in.
What the law says
California law is very specific about who must be in a car seat. It says that all children must be in a car seat and that the car seat must be in the back seat until the child is either eight years old or 4’9” or taller. At that point, they do not need a car seat but they must remain in the back seat until they are 12 and they must be secured by a lap and shoulder seat belt.
How to choose the right car seat
Notice that California law does not specify much else about the type of car seat that is required. This is why we want to help parents know what they should be looking for in a car seat. Safety experts recommend that the car seat used should be manufactured specifically for your child’s age and size in mind and that the car seat fits correctly within your vehicle.
Your child should be in their car seat every time they are in a moving vehicle – even if they are just going around the block. Parents should read and familiarize themselves with the instructions of the car seat manufacturer and the owner’s manual of the car to ensure that the car seat is installed correctly. As long as the child meets the height / weight requirements of that car seat, they can stay in it. No child should be in the front seat until they are at least 12 years old.
Have you been involved in a car accident?
If you or your child has been injured in a car accident then you should talk to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. It is easy to reach Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas day or night – just call us at 909-982-0707. We are here to begin with a free legal consultation.
