During the recent Child Passenger Safety Week in Colorado, authorities focused on car seat safety. The Department of Transportation and the State Patrol collaborated to send out the message that children’s deaths and severe injuries in auto accidents are preventable. A spokesperson said car accidents are the cause of most fatalities of children younger than 13.
It was noted that a significant percentage of caregivers and parents neglect to ensure that children are buckled into their car seats correctly. In turn, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says only 41% of child car seats are used correctly. This puts millions of children in Colorado and across the country at risk of severe injury or death.
Safety authorities listed the primary contributing factors:
- Inappropriate seat size, based on the stage of development and age of the child
- Incorrect installation of the seat
- Improper securing of seat belt or harness
- Removing the booster seat before the child is old enough
- Allowing a too-young child to sit in the front seat
Following all the child seat safety regulations will reduce the risk of children suffering severe injuries. However, there is no guarantee that children would suffer no injuries in the event of auto accidents. When another party’s negligence is the cause of an accident in which children are injured, the parents may be unsure whether a civil lawsuit would be viable. An experienced Colorado personal injury attorney can answer questions about their rights to pursue financial relief and then advocate for the plaintiffs throughout ensuing legal proceedings.
