According to the NHTSA, car accidents are the leading cause of death among children between the ages of one and twelve. Children are especially vulnerable in a Davie car accident due to their small size. They are also less protected than adults, since most safety devices in cars are designed for adult passengers and drivers. To protect children from Davie head injuries, bone fractures, spinal cord trauma, and other injuries, it is important to use child safety restraints correctly. That means:
1) Buy the right child safety seat or booster. The right item will fit your car and child and is easy to use so that you will use it correctly each time you travel. If your child is an infant under one year of age and under 20 pounds, use a rear-facing convertible seat or an infant seat. Children between 20 and forty pounds should have a convertible or forward-facing seat. Children between 40 and 80 pounds should use a booster seat.
2) Avoid buying used child safety seats or boosters. You should get rid of a safety seat if it has been in an accident, and when you buy a used item you have no way of knowing whether it has been damaged in a collision. As well, safety seats are recalled from time to time and you do not want to buy a recalled model that has been found to be unsafe.
3) Seat children in the back until they are twelve years of age. The back seat is the safest spot for a child, since the front seat usually has side impact and front impact airbags that can cause serious injury to a child. In the event of a Davie traffic accident, a child sitting in the front seat can easily sustain a Davie head injury or suffocate by hitting the dashboard or the airbag. The safety devices in the front seat of a car are not intended for children.
4) Use a safety seat correctly. Read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them correctly. If you need help with installation, check the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration’s website. Some local fire departments and police departments also offer assistance with installation.
5) Be careful of rear side air bags. If your car has them, make sure any child safety seat you install is well away from them.
6) Use booster seats until your child can correctly wear a seatbelt. Your child can wear a seat belt when he or she is tall enough so that the shoulder strap fits across the shoulder and chest, not cutting into the neck. The lap belt should be across the thighs, not on the stomach.
If you or your child have been injured in a Davie car accident, contact the Flaxman Law Group today to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your case. The Flaxman Law Group is a full-service law firm with resources to investigate your case, find all liable parties and pursue your case aggressively. The legal team at the Flaxman Law Group already has decades of experience defending the rights of South Florida personal injury victims. Call today to find out what the legal team can do for you.