John F. Kennedy famously said, “To have a child is to give fate a hostage.” Parents who want, above all else, to keep the most precious people in their lives safe feel this intensely. Kids’ safety is our top priority.
Since driving is statistically one of the most dangerous things we do, how can we keep kids safe in vehicles? Here are some tips from our team of Texas personal injury attorneys.
Follow Texas Car Seat Laws
Texas law requires that, unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches, all children younger than eight years old must be buckled into a child safety seat whenever they ride in a car or truck. Older children who’ve outgrown a booster seat must be buckled in with a seat belt.
Statistics show that, of children who were killed or seriously injured in car accidents, only about 40% were properly secured in the vehicle at the time of the accident. To properly secure your child, you’ll need to choose the right car seat. One size does not fit all.
- Rear-facing seats: All babies and toddlers should ride in a rear-facing car seat until they’re two years old.
- Forward-facing seats: Any child two or older who has outgrown a rear-facing seat should use a forward-facing car seat with a harness.
- Booster seats: Any child who has outgrown a forward-facing seat should use a booster seat until they’re big enough for the seat belt to fit properly without it. This typically happens when they reach 4 feet 9 inches and are between eight and 12 years old.
- Seatbelts: Any child who has outgrown a booster seat should wear a seatbelt.
TxDOT offers free car seat checks. To learn more, visit savemewithaseat.org.
Put Your Kid in the Back Seat
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, all children younger than 13 are safest in the backseat. That’s because front-seat vehicle restraint systems are designed for adults—not kids.
Seat belts are designed to restrain the two strongest areas of our skeleton, the rib cage and hips. In preteens and kids, the hip bones are not fully developed, which can cause the lap belt to ride up into the abdominal cavity during a crash.
Get Legal Help If Your Child Has Been Injured in a Car Accident
Car crashes are especially hard on children, and we understand how devastating it can feel to watch your kids in pain. If your child has been injured in a crash, get the help you need by talking with an experienced attorney.
The Fell Law Firm is dedicated to representing people of all ages who have been injured in car accidents. To talk with the lawyers at The Fell Law Firm in Richardson, Texas, call us at 972-450-1418 or contact us online.
