The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is clear about its guidelines for protecting children in a car accident: until a child reaches the age of one or a weight of 20 pounds, that child should be secured in a rear-facing car seat. Until recently, the recommendation shifted at this point to a front-facing seat, but recent research suggests that children may be better served if they remain rear-facing until they are two years old, not one. From there, the guidelines get a bit more complex.

Safety While Growing

First, you want to keep your child in a forward-facing car seat starting in the third year of life, and switch to a booster seat when the child is around 65 pounds or 50 inches tall. You will know when he outgrows the booster seat because he will be roughly 8 years old or 57 inches tall, and a conventional seat belt will fit properly - across the chest, not the neck. Children under 12 should always be in the back seat no matter what the circumstances, and it is essential to properly secure all seat belts for every trip, especially if your car is equipped with side curtain airbags.

Seat Belts: What Goes Wrong

Many of the most dangerous car accidents involving children turn deadly because of poor seatbelt design, compliance or installation. Car accidents are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 2 and 14 in the country. Experts estimate that up to 80% of child car seats may not be installed properly, and countless other injuries and fatalities occur each year because of parents who recklessly place their children on their lap or fail to secure a seat belt. The best way to ensure you are driving safely with children is to have your safety seats and all belts checked by the local police or fire station.

Let Us Help You Recover Your Expenses

If any children in your life have been injured in a car accident as a result of poor safety precautions, it is essential to speak with an expert attorney about what happens next. Here at The Law Offices of Joseph Klest, we have been advocating and defending the rights of injured children throughout the Chicago area for over two decades, and we are proud of our uncommon record of success. To speak with a compassionate and experienced attorney today, please call 888-694-0245, or fill out the contact form. We never take a fee unless we win you money.