Preventing Child Injuries in the Event of a Car Accident

Children are often the worst affected in road accidents. Many car accidents involving children result in fatal injuries. However, many child car accident injuries can be prevented by using the car seats properly.

Although most parents buckle up their children in car seats, they may fail to use the car seats properly , thus increasing the chances of injury.

St Louis car accident lawyers believe that using a car seat for kids is not enough, securing the child properly is more important. Here is a simple guide for parents to help them make proper use of the child seat:

Choose the Car Seat After Proper Research
There are various types of car seats available in the market such as convertible car seat, combination car seat, infant car seat, and booster seat. So, you must do some research before choosing a car seat. Pay attention to height requirements, weight limits, and other features to ensure that you are buying the most appropriate car seat for your child. The five star rating system created by The National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration can be used to evaluate car seats.

Make Sure the Car Seat is Age Appropriate
There are different types and sizes of car seats available for different age groups. For infants, rear facing car seats are the safest option. For older children, forward facing car seats placed in the rear seat makes a good choice. If your kids are aged between 4-8 years, you can use a booster seat placed in the backseat.

Install the Car Seat Properly
It is important to install the car seat properly to ensure complete safety. Follow the instruction manual that came with the car seat and you car’s instructions manual on car seat installation. Install the car seat on the back seat, and secure it using the seat belt or lower anchors of the latch system. Make sure that the car seat is tightly fastened.

Fit the Child Securely Into the Car Seat

To ensure that the child is fitted securely on the car seat, you should check if the safety straps are straight, and positioned properly to secure the kid.

Seek Assistance From Peers or Professionals
Choosing, installing, and using a car seat can be overwhelming for first-time parents. In case, you feel you need more help using the car seat, you can consult the various resources offered by American Association of paediatricians. Also, you can seek help from a friend or relative that is experienced in using a car seats.

Ensuring the safety of the little passengers is on the top of every parent’s mind. St Louis car accident attorneys believe that the aforementioned tips should help parents ensure complete safety of the child passengers. In case, your child gets injured because of a faulty car seat, you should immediately get in touch with an experienced St. Louis car accident lawyer to discuss your legal options. Your attorney will help you get compensation for the damages that you have suffered.

To schedule a free consultation call The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C. at(314) 361-4242