When a parent puts their child into a car seat, they are doing so in the hopes that the seat will protect the child in the event of a car accident. But what happens when the car seat not only does not protect the child but actually harms them? Unfortunately, this does happen. We urge you to contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 if this has happened to your child.
Parents Using the Wrong Seat
The car seat you buy for your newborn cannot be used by your two-year-old, and vice versa. You should have an appropriate car seat for both your child’s age and weight. If you are not using the right car seat, then you are running the risk of your child becoming injured much more severely than they would have if they were in the right car seat.
Improperly Installed Car Seats
Likewise, car seats only work if they are installed correctly. Even a minor mistake can make a big difference and greatly increase the chance of a fatal accident. It is wise to follow the directions in the manufacturer’s car seat instructions, and you can also stop by your local fire station for proper installation techniques or to have them install it themselves.
There Are 20 Hassles That Can Cause Problems
A study from the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago found that parents who had to frequently get their child into and out of their car seat were less likely to do so perfectly every time compared to those who only occasionally got their child into and out of car seats. The researchers uncovered 20 different “hassles” that parents pointed to as the reason they did not always properly secure their child.
The study looked at 238 parents in a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds who had children between the ages of one and ten. They found:
- 80% of parents said they had dealt with a slight problem with at least one of the hassles
- Parents reported having issues with five of the 20 hassles
- Parents who did not follow the recommendations of major safety groups reported bigger issues with the hassles than others did
- 50% of the parents said that they took part in at last one type of behavior that was not recommended, such as letting their child travel without being buckled or not always requiring their child to be in a car seat
Car Seat Safety is Very Important
There is no way around it: if you are involved in a car accident with a child in the car, the greatest indicator of how badly they are injured will be if they were properly restrained. Even when you are just driving a few miles down the street, it is always essential to keep your child properly restrained.
