Lever & Ecker, PLLC January 24, 2018 Car Accidents
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, nearly two children are killed each day in a car accident. While some of these deaths can’t be prevented, an outstanding number of them can. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the proper use of a car seat can reduce the risk of death 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. In a recent study, it was revealed that 72% of child restraint systems are installed improperly. In addition to car seats being installed improperly, many parents are not using the correct car seat for their child to begin with.
Unfortunately, many parents are not aware that they have installed their child’s car seat improperly, or that the seat they are using is the wrong size for their child. There are many steps a parent can take to ensure the safety of their child’s car seat. The CDC recommends the following:
A car accident can cause severe injuries to any human being. When a small child is involved in a car accident, the injuries they suffer can be much more catastrophic than those caused to someone who is larger. Some common injuries sustained by children due to car accidents include but are not limited to the following:
The only way to minimize the chances your child has at sustaining one of the injuries listed above is to ensure that they are correctly fastened into a properly installed car seat. Most aspects of a car accident are completely out of your control so it is important that you take control of what you can. Ensure that you and your child are properly restrained so that you can be prepared for the worst.
Just like the rest of the United States, New York has very strict guidelines about the use of car seats. The car seat laws in New York are as follows:
At Lever & Ecker, PLLC, we care about your family’s safety. If you have a young child, we hope you take the time and research that is necessary for installing their car seat properly. You never know when a car accident is going to happen, but you can make sure that everyone who is in the car with you is safely secured. Together, we can help reduce the leading cause of childhood deaths one car seat at a time. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, contact Lever & Ecker, PLLC, so that we can discuss providing you with legal representation.