As a parent, there is likely nothing as important to you as keeping your child safe. Unfortunately, if you do not have the right car seat, even a minor car accident can result in serious injuries. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker we are committed to helping parents discover how to select the right car seat for their child. Keep reading to learn more. If you are involved in an accident, and said accident is the result of another party acting recklessly or negligently, contact us at 800-333-0000 right away for a free legal consultation.
There is a Simple Tool That Can Confirm You Are Using the Right Car Seat
One of the best ways to assure that you are in compliance with the latest recommendations is to use the tool at the website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Just plug in your child’s birthday, their eight, and their weight. It will then give you the options that will work for your child. You can also look at their website for information on what seats are good for various ages and sizes of children.
The Basic Types of Car Seats and When to Use Them
We have also compiled a simple guide that gives information on what types of car seats are best for various ages and sizes.
- Rear-facing car seats. Ideally, parents would keep their kids in rear-facing car seats as long as they could as it is the safest type of car seat. Depending on each child’s rate of growth, they could be in a rear-facing car seat until their third birthday.
- Forward-facing car seats. When your child becomes too big for rear-facing car seats, it’s time to upgrade to a forward-facing car seat. It should be located in the backseat – never in the front.
- Booster seats and seat belts. Children can move into booster seats and seat belts anytime between the ages of four and seven – or even later. It all depends on their size. They should still remain in the backseat until they are 12 years old. When a child is big enough that they can properly fit within a seat belt without the booster seat, then they can move on to a belt-only method.
What to Do if You Are Involved in a Car Accident with Your Child
If you are involved in a car accident in which your child is in the car with you, then you should of course get immediate medical attention if necessary. You should also get rid of your car seat. Even if it does not seem damaged, even if the accident seemed minor, it is always recommended that you replace a car seat if it has been involved in a car accident.
You should also contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation. We will carefully consider your case, offer legal advice, and help you move forward.
