The NHTSA guidelines about keep children safe in a truck accident mirror those for car accidents fairly closely. That means a mandatory rear-facing seat until the child is 1 year old or 20 pounds, a recommended rear-facing seat until the child is 23 months old, and then a front-facing seat until the child is big enough to fit in a regular booster. Where the two sets of guidelines differ is based on the design of many trucks and how best to circumvent their inherent dangers.
Children Safety and Pickup Trucks
Pickup trucks are notoriously dangerous for infants and children, and it isn't hard to see why. Often such trucks have a back seat that is too small for child safety seat installation, and the front seat is far too dangerous for safe transport. Children whose car seats are jammed into the back without adequate room are five times more likely to die in a car accident, and the front seat presents tremendous risk in the form of airbags and projectiles through the windshield. Unfortunately that doesn't stop many thousands of drivers every year from allowing small children to ride in the pickup bed, which is the most dangerous of all — even a 10 mph collision can prove deadly.
Larger Truck Safety
Larger trucks and shipping vehicles are unsafe for children as well, as they do not offer adequate space or security measures for a children's car seat. If you drive a truck of any size and absolutely need to transport a child under 12, it is important that you have your installation checked by local police or fire officials. Sometimes a car seat that covers 80% of a rear compact extended-cab bench will be acceptable, though you can nearly double the safety of that seat by installing a tether to the top as well.
Legal Help for Childhood Injuries
Injuries to children that occur in truck accidents remain a major problem here in Chicago, and the lawyers of Klest Injury Law Firm are proud to be at the forefront of efforts to make our roadways safer for young people. If you or someone you know has been injured in a truck accident and you are looking for expert advice about the best way to recover medical expenses and other damages, it is essential that you talk to an attorney who specializes in children's car accidents. Please call 866-264-7639 or fill out our contact form today, and remember: We never take a dime in fees unless we win you money.
