Children are almost always the most vulnerable passengers in car accidents. Even a small collision can seriously injure a child, and parents often face overwhelming debt due to health-care expenses. However, if the crash was the result of another driver’s negligence, then the at-fault party may be liable for these financial losses.
Perhaps the most effective way to improve your child’s safety is to buy the appropriate car seat. Not every design is suitable for every child. According to Healthy Children, you should consider several factors when making the purchase, such as your child’s size and age, the type of car seat and your child’s willingness to progress to the next seat. Even with the latest safety equipment, nobody can control the actions of other drivers. If you or your child suffers an injury due to a negligent motorist in New York, then a car accident attorney from Jaroslawicz & Jaros, PLLC may be able to help. Call us today at 212.227.2780 to discuss your options. In the meantime, read on to learn four different stages of car seats:
- Back-Facing Car Seat
A car seat that faces toward the rear is ideal for small babies, from newborn until roughly 3 years old. Seats that are designed specifically for infant protection typically face the back, but there are also convertible seats available. These can face both directions, so they are appropriate for both infants and toddlers.
- Front-Facing Car Seat
Many children are big enough to transition into a seat that faces the front at the time of their first birthdays. Even so, rear-facing seats remain the safest options. If you can, let your child keep his or her first car seat for as long as possible. When your child outgrows the rear-facing seat, you should progress to a front-facing one. A high-quality harness and tether will make the seat even safer. Eventually, this seat will also become too small, and that is when you should consider transitioning to a booster seat.
- Booster Car Seat
Front-facing seats are still safer than booster seats, so keep using the former until your child does not fit into it anymore. Booster seats require using an adult seatbelt, and they allow the belts to fit correctly. This is the perfect time to teach your kids about seatbelt safety.
- Adult Seatbelts
Most children outgrow booster seats between the ages of 8 and 12. At this time, they should be accustomed to using adult seatbelts. The transition should not come as a shock to them. When the seatbelt fits comfortably across the chest and shoulder while offering a snug fit for the upper thighs, your child is ready to ride as an adult. If the seatbelt does not fit, then keep using the booster seat until it does. Choosing the right car seat for children can be the difference between a safe ride and a serious injury - or worse. If you are the unfortunate victim of an accident with a negligent driver, then call a New York City injury lawyer from Jaroslawicz & Jaros, PLLC at 212.227.2780.
