Has your child been injured in a car accident due to improper child restraints? It is no mystery that children are very fragile. They are still in the process of developing and acquiring their full strength. Because of this fact, special measures should be taken when they ride in cars. Regular restraint devices, like seatbelts, do not provide the same security to children as to adults. They require specific mechanisms, like car seats, to ensure their safety in the fast-paced roads of the United States.
The law requires that children under the age of 14 be accommodated with special equipment. The following summarizes child car seat safety law:
- Children under the age of 3 must use a car seat, and cannot be placed in the front seat in a rear-facing position. The only exception applies to taxis or a hired vehicle that cannot provide one, so the child can ride in the back seat with no child restraint.
- Children between 3 and 12 (or until they are 4’4”) must use the correct child seat, and can ride either in the front or back. They can ride with only a regular seatbelt on only if they are in a taxi or hired car, or if the back seat already has 2 child restraint devices and cannot fit another one.
- After the child turns 13, or is taller than 4’4”, he/she MUST wear a seat belt while sitting in either the front or the back seat.
These laws exist for one reason: to protect our vulnerable children. There is no reason not to follow them if we want to safeguard their lives and prevent unnecessary tragedies. If you have been involved in an accident where a child’s car seat was not used or improperly installed, you should contact an experienced lawyer to get help with your case.
- If you need legal assistance with an Auto Injury Claim, please consult with a Car Accident Lawyer near you to discuss the details of your case. The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only.
Updated: LW
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