Despite a number of awareness campaigns nationwide and here in Chicago, the incidence of child injuries in car accidents continues to rise each year. Roughly 1,800 children are killed on roadways annually, and over 280,000 suffer injuries in car accidents. Although the causes of children's injuries can be manifold, many of the most common center on one device only: the car seat.
Car Seat: Official Recommendations
If you are a concerned parent, you have probably noticed that the recommendations have changed for children in vehicles. Although the NHTSA used to recommend all children be switched from rear-facing to forward-facing seats at one year of age, that time frame has since been extended to two years. Even if you follow the guidelines as they move up in age, however, you may still encounter unforeseen dangers in the design of that car seat itself.
Defective Car Seats
How can car seats fail? Many children's car seats are designed with complex and confusing instructions, leading to what experts have identified as an epidemic of wrong installation: As many as 80% of car seats are secured incorrectly. This may not be the parents' fault, however, as a number of consumer protection organizations have determined that car seats are needlessly difficult to secure. Car seats may also be defective in their materials or restraints, causing belts to release during a collision or rollover, or to trap a child in a dangerous position following an impact.
Seek Justice for a Defective Car Seat
In the last 10 years, nearly every major manufacturer has recalled some or all of their car seats, including Britax, Century, Cosco/Dorel, Evenflo, Fisher-Price, Graco, and Kolcraft. If your child has been injured in an accident and you believe a defective car seat may be to blame, it is important to speak with an expert attorney right away. Klest Injury Law Firm has been litigating safety issues for children throughout Chicago for many years, and today we offer superior tools to fight your case. Please call 866-264-7639 or use the contact form, and remember: We work for free until we win you a settlement.
