Because car accidents can lead to death and serious injuries of children, Texas officials are launching a new program to combat these risks.
The National Center for Health Statistics reports that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of fatalities for children 14 years of age or younger.[1] Car accident crashes account for one out of every four unintentional injury deaths for children younger than 13. In 2017, there were 677 children who died in auto accidents.
Additionally, three out of four seats are not properly installed, posing a risk to children in the event an accident occurs. SafeRide4Kids reports that anywhere between 72% to 84% of child restraints show critical misuses.[2] Some of the most common misuses involved the following factors:[3]
- Using the wrong seat for the child’s age and weight
- Loose safety belt attachment to the car seat
- Loose harness straps on the child
Another significant problem is that as many as one-third of children ages 4 to 7 who were part of a nationwide survey were not properly restrained in their booster seats and 54% of children in this age bracket were not using booster seats.
The Texas Department of Transportation is offering free safety seat checkups at all 25 of their district offices throughout the year. Parents can call and set up an appointment at their nearest office. Some area police departments also offer free safety seat checkups.
Infants between the ages of birth to two years should ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are two years old or they reach the maximum weight or height allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer. Children who are two years of age or older should be in a forward-facing seat for as long as the time recommended by the car seat manufacturer’s recommendations. Children four to eight years of age should use a booster seat until they reach the maximum height or weight limits. Children who are older than 8 years old should use a lap and shoulder belt. Children under the age of 13 should be in the back seat.
If individuals are injured in a car accident, it is important that they understand their rights and options for recovery. A personal injury attorney can discuss the effects of your claim if your child was not properly restrained and how you can pursue damages against a negligent driver.
[1] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/adolescent-health.htm
[2] https://saferide4kids.com/blog/car-seat-statistics/
[3] https://saferide4kids.com/blog/car-seat-statistics/
