Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers: Spotlight on Child Passenger Safety Week

For any parent, the safety of their child is paramount. Ask any parent, and they will tell you that they would do absolutely anything to keep them safe. When you consider the fact that one child under the age of 13 is involved in a car accident every 33 seconds, car safety is a great place to start, including how to choose, install, and properly secure a child’s car seat.

September 18-24, 2016 is Child Passenger Safety Week, ending with National Seat Check Saturday on September 24. This event generates awareness about the importance of keeping children safe while they are in the car. If you have young children, this is a great opportunity to make sure that you are using the right seat for your child’s age and weight; learn when it is safe to move a car seat from rear-facing to front-facing; when your child can switch from a car seat to a booster seat; and when it is safe to use only a seatbelt.

When it comes to keeping children safe in the car, choosing the right car seat can be an overwhelming decision. There is a vast array of choices on the market, and it can be tough to know which is the right one. The following steps can serve as a guide to help you choose the car seat that will keep your child safe and secure while in the car, especially in the event of a wreck.

Step One: Choose the right car seat based on the following criteria:

• Types of car seat, including:
• Rear-Facing Car Seat: Ideal for babies because it has a harness which distributes the force during a collision.
• Forward-Facing Car Seat: Also has a harness and a tether that keeps your child secure in the event of a crash
• Booster Seat: Used in conjunction with a seat belt for growing children.
• Age and size of your child
• What the Car Seat Finder tool recommends
• Car seat ratings that evaluate features of different car seats available on the market today

Step Two: Be sure to properly install the car seat by carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step Three: Register your car seat so that you receive information about product recalls.

Step Four: Sign up to receive recall notifications from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) via email alerts.

When your child has graduated from a car seat, he or she must still wear a seat belt at all times. In addition, children who are under the age of 13 should remain in the back seat to avoid being injured by a deployed airbag in the event of a crash.

Maryland Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims Injured in Car Accidents

 If a faulty car seat contributed to your child’s injuries, contact the reputable Maryland car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will work tirelessly to determine the cause of the accident, and hold the responsible parties accountable. We will not stop until justice has been served, and you receive the financial compensation to which you are entitled. For a free case review, 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 injured accident victims and their families throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.