According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), car accidents are a leading cause of death for children in the United States. In fact, 600 children (aged 12 years old and below) died in motor vehicle accidents in 2019. Aside from that, there were also 91,000 children who suffered injuries due to accidents on the road.

Fortunately, there are many steps parents can take to keep their kids safe while driving. In this post, we will discuss some of the most important safety tips for motorists. We’ll also provide advice on how to prevent car accidents from happening in the first place.

Vehicle Accident Cases with Children

In the United States, car rides are one of many causes of child deaths and injuries. Some people might think that accidents only happen on roadways but this couldn’t be farther from reality!
What kind of car accidents are a great risk to young children?
• Vehicle rollaway
• Backover incidents
• Car crash or motor vehicle collision
• Distracted driving

However, there are also other risks incidents that can happen in cars that are not directly caused by crashes, such as:
• Heatstroke
• Seatbelt Entanglements
• Power Window incidents
• Getting stuck/trapped in the trunk (while playing)

Parents should be aware of these possibilities to maintain child safety in vehicles. It’s always better to know how to prevent an accident or injury instead of having to cure it.

Keeping young children safe in car rides

As a parent, it may be overwhelming to keep your child safe anytime, anywhere. It’s great that there are many organizations that help in protecting our young ones.
One of which is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a guide on how to keep children safe is available for everyone. There are basic tips to help parents (old and new) to take care of their children during car rides.
Here are some examples:
1. During car rides, secure your child in a car seat. Make sure it’s the appropriate seat for their age and size.
• For ages 0-3, a rear-facing car seat is best. For ages 1-7, you can also use a front-facing car seat.
• Children aged from 4-12 should use a booster seat.
• If your child is 8 years old and above, the standard car seatbelt is good to use.

2. Do not leave your child alone in the car to prevent heatstroke even for a few minutes.
3. Teaching children not to play in parking lots or where there are idle cars can lessen the possibility of backover incidents.
4. Keep the child lock on to prevent children from playing with power windows and car doors.
5. Adults should be the ones to secure seatbelts to prevent children from playing with them and getting entangled which may lead to injuries or choking.
Read more of the guides that can help you and your children be safe during car rides!

Hiring the Best Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Of course, prevention is best, but there are times when incidents happen. Despite being cautious, you and your family may be involved in an auto accident. Car accidents with children are more complex and sensitive since they need more attention when they are injured.

Beyond property damage, you and your children may need much financial compensation to deal with medical bills. Thus, it’s always essential to hire a lawyer to help you and your child to deal with the insurance company. An auto accident attorney can help you by giving advice or tips on how to gather evidence, get necessary medical records, and file a police report.

As a parent, it’s important to be proactive about car safety and know the steps you can take to prevent accidents from happening. We hope that the tips we shared in this post will help keep your family safe on the road.

If you or your child has been injured in a car accident, please don’t hesitate to call us for help. We understand what you are going through and we want to do everything possible to get you the compensation you deserve.

Our best vehicle accident lawyer at Roxell Richards Injury Law Firm would be happy to provide a free consultation and advise you on your legal rights and options. Call us today at the local phone number (713) 974-0388 or toll-free 1-855-GOT-INJURED and let’s find out how we can help.