Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
Children are more than five-times safer riding in rear-facing car safety seats than in any other seat until they reach the age of 2, according to new research conducted by The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
<a href=https://www.lawofficesofdeanhfreeman.com/lawyer-attorney-1372158.html"Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys understand that consumers often rely on manufacturers to produce products to keep our families safe. Consumers also often rely on the suggestions and recommendations from these manufacturers and safety councils to provide specific instructions on how to use their products effectively.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has decided to change car seat policies after research revealed that 75 percent of children under the age of 2 riding in forward-facing car seats are likely to be killed or fatally injured in a car accident. Children are now recommended to occupy a rear-facing car seat until the age of 2, or until they outgrow their seat. Children are then recommended to ride in a booster seat until the age of 9.
“The ‘best’ car seat is the one that fits your child, fits your vehicle and one you will use every time your child is in the car,” says Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Proper selection and use of child car seats play a vital role in keeping your child safe in a Palm Beach car accident.
According to 5 years of U.S. crash data, a child is five-times more likely to be injured in a car accident if they’re riding in a forward-facing car seat than if they’re properly seated in a rear-facing car seat. Children are more likely to be injured in these forward-facing car seats because of the faulty design. In a front-facing car seat, the force caused by an accident can jerk the child’s head and neck causing severe spinal cord injuries, if not death. The new design and requirements allow for the force of the collision to be distributed throughout the entire body.
“Selecting the right seat for your child can be a challenge for many parents. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new revised guidelines will help consumers pick the appropriate seat for their child,” says David Strickland, Administrator of the NHTSA.
You can download a car safety brochure here for tips on how to keep your child safe the car.
If you or your child has been injured, contact an experienced car accident attorney. Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC has been representing accident victims and their families in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Ft. Pierce /Port St. Lucie for years. Call us today to schedule a free and confidential appointment to discuss your case at 1-800-529-2368.