As a parent, you understand why it’s important to have your child in a car seat and you are probably well aware that it’s the law to have one in the state of Texas, but these facts alone aren’t enough to keep your child safe. Did you know that unless the car seat is installed correctly in the vehicle it can pose a serious risk and danger to your child? Should you ever be in an accident and get hit by another car or truck, a car seat is what stands between your young child and serious injuries or worse.
So let’s take a closer look at why an improperly installed car seat is dangerous, how you can ensure it is installed properly and safely and how a car accident injury lawyer could benefit you should the unthinkable happen.
It’s More Common Than You May Think
When you read about a car seat being installed improperly your first thought may be “How is that possible”, but the reality is quite alarming. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost half of car seats are installed improperly. And in many of those cases, parents may think they have installed it correctly and safely, not realizing the potential danger they are putting their child in.
Car seats save lives, and as the NHTSA points out, it can reduce the risk of fatality by 54% for toddlers and a whopping 71% for infants. However, this statistic is only true if the car seat is installed properly. It’s a statistic that should make parents stop in their tracks and question whether or not their car seat is properly installed.
Without Being Properly Anchored the Car Seat May Shift
One of the main issues with a car seat that has been installed improperly is that if it’s not anchored securely and in the right way, it can shift during an accident. This means your child’s seat, with them strapped in, could lurch forwards or sideways. The mere force of impact can even eject the car seat from the car entirely causing severe injuries or death.
Do the Straps and Buckles Work Properly?
Anchoring the car seat correctly is one thing, but you also need to inspect the straps and buckles. They need to work properly so they don’t pop open. They should also fit snugly to provide maximum protection.
Also, be aware of where the lap and shoulder restraints sit on your child, as these are meant to prevent head and spinal injuries in the case of an accident. The majority of car seats allow for adjustments to both of these, allowing you to raise or lower the shoulder straps and tighten or loosen the lap restraints.
Each time you buckle your child in, make sure to check that they still fit properly. Children tend to go through growth spurts quickly and often, so parents should always be checking for proper fit and placement. Today’s car seats use a three or five-point harness system, so make sure you understand how to properly use it and buckle them in.
The Type of Seat Also Matters
As well as proper installation of the car seat, the proper seat should also be used. This means choosing the seat based on your child’s weight, height, and age. Keep in mind that booster seats are necessary for lots of kids aged 8 to 12; growing out of their car seat doesn’t mean that’s the end of added protection.
Get Your Car Seat Checked Out
Even with the best advice and tips, parents can still make mistakes during installation. This is exactly why it’s a good idea to have a certified technician take a look. The state of Texas offers Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations during checkup events. These are free of charge and you can check online to find one near you. There are also tips and instructions you can find online through the NHTSA website.
What Happens If You’re In An Accident?
It is a parent’s worst nightmare, being in a car accident with your child in the car, but unfortunately, it can happen at any time. Being a safe driver that follows all the rules of the road and doesn’t allow distractions to detract their focus may be your priority, but things happen and other drivers may not be as careful as you. In a blink of an eye, you can get hit by another vehicle due to the negligence of that driver.
So what happens in this situation? The priority is always to seek immediate medical care, by calling emergency services. You don’t want to risk moving your child as you don’t know the extent or type of injuries they may have sustained.
After your child and your immediate medical needs have been taken care of and you are stable, it’s time to contact a personal injury accident attorney. A personal injury attorney will have experience with these types of situations and will know exactly the steps to take. Your focus needs to be on helping your child to recover, not on fighting with the negligent driver’s insurance company for fair compensation.
Depending on the extent of your child’s injuries, the medical bills could be incredibly high. They may even be ongoing and long-term if your child has suffered life-altering injuries. A personal injury accident lawyer takes all this into account when determining how much compensation to ask for. They can also look at such things as your child’s ability to work in the future, their pain and suffering, and so much more.
Hiring a vehicle accident lawyer means you are taking that stress off your shoulders and giving it to an experienced professional. You have enough on your mind to cope with. As for when to set up a consultation with an automobile accident lawyer, it should be as soon as possible after the accident. You want to talk to them while the details are still fresh in your mind so your claim is as strong as possible.
Leave the Work to Us
Be sure to contact us at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys. Let us fight for you and your child, getting you the fair compensation you both deserve.
