Child Passenger Safety Week 9/17-9/23: Keep Your Kids Safe in the Car
Keeping your child safe while on a drive is crucial, yet many children under the age of 13 are seriously injured or killed in accidents every year. That’s why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council are launching Child Passenger Safety Week this September.
The team at our Scranton and Stroudsburg, PA, legal offices would like to review some of the findings from the NHTSA and Ad Council. We’ll then help you understand what you can do if you want to pursue a car accident claim.
About Child Passenger Safety Week
Running from September 17-23, Child Passenger Safety Week provides facts, awareness, and public service announcements about using child safety seats properly.
The resources available on the Child Passenger Safety Week site linked above include information in both English and Spanish.
The Numbers Highlight the Necessity for Awareness and Advocacy
According to the NHTSA, car crashes are a leading cause of death among young children.
In 2021, 710 children under 13 were killed in passenger vehicle crashes. In the same year, more than 100,000 children in the same age range were injured in auto accidents.
Adding more context to these numbers, the NHTSA also found that 36% of children under 13 who were killed in collisions were not properly restrained while in the vehicle.
Actions You Can Take to Ensure Your Child Is Safe
As part of Child Passenger Safety Week, the NHTSA and Ad Council have provided an online resource for picking a child safety seat. You can find the right kind of seat based on your child’s current height, weight, and date of birth.
The above online resource also has information on booster seats for older children and assistance with finding certified technicians to install your child's safety seat.
What Should I Do if I Was in a Crash with My Child in the Car?
Following any kind of car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention. This allows experienced medical professionals to provide care as needed and potentially diagnose an injury that may not have any detectable signs at the time of the crash.
It’s worth speaking with a lawyer about the collision as well. During a consultation with an attorney, they can determine if you should file a lawsuit.
If you lost your child in a collision, it's imperative that you speak with an attorney about the possibility of filing a fatal car crash lawsuit.
What if My Child Was Injured by a Defective Child Safety Seat?
Sometimes issues with the manufacturing, design, or installation of a safety seat increase the severity of injuries sustained. In those cases, it’s important to discuss matters with an attorney. You may find you have a lawsuit over defective car safety seats.
Product liability claims such as these hold negligent third parties accountable for the additional harm your child experienced due to issues with the safety seat.
Speak with Our Accident Lawyers Today
Was your family affected by a car accident? We can help. With law offices in Scranton and Stroudsburg, we can help Pennsylvania families in their time of need. For more information, contact our law office today.
