When a family learns that a baby is on the way, it is one of the happiest days of their lives. As many parents can confirm, it is also a scary day. Parents heads swirl with questions. Will I be a good parent? Will my baby be healthy? These questions also typically include questions of safety. How can I best protect my child? How can I make sure my baby is not at risk of unnecessary dangers or injuries? These are important questions that a conscientious parent is right to ask.
The number one cause of deaths for children age 1-12 is car accidents. There are many ways to protect your children in cars. Likely, the single most important safety decision that a parent can make for their children is choosing the correct car seat. There are many factors that go into choosing the correct car seat. Safercar.gov listed the following recommendations:
- Choose a car seat that is age and size appropriate for your child;
- Make sure the car seat you choose fits in your car;
- Read the vehicle’s owner’s manual regarding car seat use;
- Install the car seat as recommended by the car seat and the vehicle instruction;
- Use the car seat as long as your child fits within the height and weight limits of the seat; and
- At the least, keep your child in the back seat through age 12.
When it comes to safety regarding children and automobiles, parents often do not know where to look to get the answers they need. The Federal Government maintains a comprehensive website discussing child safety seats. The website covers a wide variety of issues affecting child automobile safety. The website discusses how to choose the right car seat, age appropriate safety considerations, avoiding heatstroke and the problem of forgotten babies, and other topics for which all parents should be educated.
If your baby has been injured or killed in an automobile accident, there is a chance that the vehicle or child safety seat was not crashworthy. If a defective product caused or contributed to an injury or death in your family, contact the Texas Product Liability Lawyer at Hill Law Firm today. You may have a claim for damages, but it is important to act quickly to protect your rights, preserve evidence, and avoid jeopardizing your claim.