No one wants their child to be injured in a car accident yet accidents happen every day. There are many things you can do to stay safer in your vehicle and reduce your risk of being involved in an accident, but at the end of the day they are just that: Accidents. There’s nothing you can do to prevent them 100% of the time but there are some things you can do to keep your child safer in your vehicle.
Some of the most common injuries a child may sustain in an accident
Children are safer in the car if they’re in a car seat but they can still be injured. Some of the most common injuries that children suffer in car accidents include broken bones, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, whiplash, injuries caused by airbag, internal bleeding, organ damage, and even death. While no car seat can keep your child safe every second of the day, a car seat that’s correctly installed can significantly reduce their chance of injury or death.
Follow California’s car seat laws
As is true of most states, California has specific laws about car seats and how they must be used. If your child is not yet two years old then they must be in a rear-facing car seat. The only exceptions to this law are children who weight more than 40 pounds or are taller than 40 inches. The child must also be secured to follow the restrictions of the car seat manufacturer for height and weight.
A child who’s not yet eight years old must be in a car seat or, at a minimum, a booster seat. The child must also be in the back seat. If a child is either eight years old or is 4 feet and 9 inches or taller, then they can sit in a booster seat or they can sit with just a safety built. Any child who’s 16 or older must follow the seat belt laws set out in California.
If you’re not sure if your child is tall enough or weighs enough, then we recommend following the strictest law. Remember that these rules are in place for a good reason: To keep your child safe. The better protected they are, the more likely they are to survive a car accident with minimal injury.
Has your child been injured in a car accident?
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in which your child was injured, and that accident was at least partially the fault of another party, then you may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. The best way to find out what your best options are is to reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707. We’ll start with a free case evaluation during which we’ll give you our best legal advice. If we decide to take on your case, there will be no fee until we recover compensation for you. Call today to get started.
