While Miami car accidents are one of the leading causes of fatalities for children and teens in the city, parents need to worry about much more than just Miami traffic accidents. Miami children and minors are subject to many car-related injuries, although the good news is that many of these injuries are preventable:
1) Hyperthermia / Heatstroke. While children in Miami rarely need to worry about hyperthermia, heatstroke is a serious concern for children left in the unforgiving Miami heat in a car. Even leaving a child alone in a car for a few minutes can be dangerous, as on a hot day the temperature in a vehicle can quickly reach dangerous levels. The obvious solution is to never leave a child unattended in a car. However, with parents more busy than ever before, it is also important to routinely check the back seat of a car before walking away. Unfortunately, there have been a number of tragic cases where a parent has simply forgotten a child in the back seat of a car.
2) Backovers. Small children sometimes play in driveways or near cars, and smaller children may not be visible to drivers who are backing up. Each year, tragedy strikes when children in this situation are hit and killed or seriously injured. In many cases, it is a parent or family member who injures the child, further adding to the pain and suffering of the family. Today, there are devices which can be installed in most cars which show the driver exactly what is behind the vehicle so that these types of Miami pedestrian accidents do not take place. In many cases, these devices are less than two hundred dollars and can help save a life.
3) Power Windows. Children who play with power windows can easily get their hands or other body parts stuck in the window, causing broken bones and other injuries. Newer models of cars have child-safety locks and windows to keep children in the back seat safe.
4) Seat Belt Entanglement. In the event of a Miami truck accident or car accident, a seat belt can save your life – if you are an adult. Unfortunately, for children, seat belts can be very dangerous. They can wrap around a child’s body and cause injuries. They can also cut into a child’s neck and head, causing injuries. For these reasons, it is important to put children in age-appropriate child restraints.
5) Vehicle Rollaway. Rollaway usually occur when a child accidentally disengages a parking break, causing the car to roll. This is another important reason to never leave children unattended in a car. Keeping children in the backseat of the car can also ensure that they cannot touch anything on the dashboard that can affect the car itself.
6) Trunk Entrapment. Trunk entrapment occurs when children climb into a trunk – often while playing – and become stuck. If children are not found in time, they can suffocate or suffer hypothermia or heat stroke. Most newer cars have trunk release levers in the trunk. These can usually be installed on older models. To prevent truck entrapment, it is also important to lock the trunk of your vehicle when the vehicle is not in use.
If your child has been injured due to a car, you may have a car accident claim or a product liability claim. A recovery in your case can help pay for your child’s medical treatment and for related expenses. To find out whether you have a case, contact the Flaxman Law Group to schedule a free accident consultation with an experienced South Florida car accident attorney.