Every parent wants their child to be safe but many parents have no idea that their children are actually in danger every time they get in the car. Read on to learn some startling facts about child dangers that might exist in your car. If you have already suffered an accident that involves your child, and someone else was at fault, please contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
Heatstroke is a Larger Problem Than You Might Think
Believe it or not, heatstroke is one of the leading non-car-crash related causes of fatality for children in the United States. In 2018 alone, 52 children throughout the country died in overheated vehicles. Since the year 1998, more than 800 children have lost their lives in overheated vehicles, the vast majority of whom were not yet two years old. You should never leave your child in your vehicle – even “just for a minute.” When the outside temperature is in the mid-60s, the temperature in the vehicle rises by 20 degrees in just ten minutes.
Children Are at Risk of Being Hit While a Vehicle is Backing Up
Around 260 people lose their lives each year by being run over while a vehicle is backing up. Nearly one in three of those who die this way are children five years old or younger. In fact, children in this age group have the highest risk of any age group of being killed or seriously injured in a backover accident. More than 60% of these types of backover accidents involve SUVs or trucks.
Young Drivers Are the Least Likely to Use Seat Belts
According to one recent survey, drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 are the demographic that is least likely to use a seatbelt every time they drive. This is particularly concerning considering that people in that generation have never lived in a time in which it was not “normal” and the law to wear a seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt can make the difference between minor injuries and death in a car accident, so it is essential to convince your children to wear a seatbelt every single time they get into a vehicle.
Airbags Really Do Save Lives
According to a study by Safe Ride 4 Kids, frontal airbags saved the lives of nearly 2,800 children aged 13 or older in 2018 alone. While it is dangerous for younger children to ride with front airbags, because the airbags are designed for much taller passengers, when a child is around 13 years old, those same airbags become life savers.
If your child is injured in an accident in which someone else was at fault, then it might be worth filing a personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for your damages. You can contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 now for a free legal consultation.
