How to Keep Your Most Precious Cargo Safe and Secure

You might be surprised to know that the leading cause of death among children is not illness or drowning. More children die in car accidents than any other accidents, including drowning, poisoning, and burns. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 58 percent of fatal, accidental injuries to children are caused by car accidents.

One of the most important things a parent can do to protect their children is to make sure that they have the appropriate car seat for the child’s age, and that it has been correctly installed. A properly secured car seat can reduce the risk of fatalities in young children by close to 70 percent.

The number of car accidents have been declining over the past several decades, which has resulted in fewer fatalities among children. Yet, 24 percent of deaths in children between the ages of five and 19 are caused by traffic accidents.

In response to alarming statistics related to car accidents and child fatalities, in 2011, the American Academy of Pediatrics updated their recommendations regarding car seat safety. Keeping children in rear-facing car seats for a longer period of time is safer for the child. In fact, a 2007 study published in the journal, Injury Prevention, found that children under the age of two were 75 percent less likely to be seriously, or fatally injured, if they were secured in a rear-facing car seat.

Current Car Seat Safety Recommendations

The following are the current car seat safety recommendations:

• Children should stay in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least two years old, or until they outgrow the height and weight requirements for their seat’s specific model.
• Children over the age of two, or those who have outgrown their rear-facing seat, should transition to a forward-facing seat that has a five-point harness safety system. They should remain in this seat until they reach the height and weight requirements of their particular seat.
• Children who outgrow the forward-facing seat should sit in a booster seat that can be used in conjunction with the seat belt. This usually occurs between the ages of eight and 12 years old, or when the child reaches 57 inches. Children who are under 57 inches should remain in the booster seat.
• Children under the age of 13 should always remain in the back seat.

Parents should also keep some other factors in mind when purchasing a car seat, or make use of one that has been given to them. Product recalls occur all the time, so it is a good idea to make sure that your car seat is not on a recall list.

Also, car seats come with an expiration date. Depending on the seat, the expiration date can be six to 10 years after they have been manufactured. Always use the seat as directed, as many injuries occur because the child was not properly restrained.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Car Accidents

If your child was injured in a car accident, and there was an issue with the car seat, do not hesitate to contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will investigate the details of your case and determine who is responsible for your child’s injuries. Our dedicated and compassionate team will secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent car accident victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.