How To Protect Kids From Injuries Caused by an Auto Accident

There are a few steps you can take to help prevent your children from being injured in a St. Louis car accident.

If you’re involved in a car accident in St. Louis, it’s important to get in touch with an experienced St. Louis car accident attorney for help getting the compensation you deserve, particularly if you or your children are injured. 

However, it’s important to note that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. There are a few steps you can take to help prevent your children from being injured in a St. Louis car accident.

1. Make Sure All Of Your Kids Buckle Their Seatbelts

If you have older kids, this goes without saying – but it still helps to remind your kids and check to make sure they’re properly buckled into their seats. Kids may remove their seatbelts to move around or for their comfort, and it’s important to make sure they remain properly restrained. 33% of kids who die in car crashes aren’t buckled up – so make sure your kids are properly restrained throughout the entire trip. 

2. Buckle Your Child In The Center Rear Seat, When Possible

Young kids are generally the safest in the center rear seat. This is because being in the middle of the car affords them more protection against side crashes compared to being on the driver’s side or passenger’s side of the vehicle. If you have only one child, it’s generally recommended to keep them buckled in the middle rear seat whenever possible.

3. Know When To Swap Your Child’s Car Seat For A New One

Most children between the ages of birth to about 2-4 should be in a rear-facing car seat, as these are the safest for newborns and infants.

After outgrowing a rear car seat, your child should swap to a front-facing car seat until they reach the maximum recommended weight or height for the seat.

Next, your child should be restrained in a booster seat until they are about 9-12 years of age, or at least 4 feet, 9 inches tall. 

Once they reach this height, seat belts will likely fit them properly, so they can usually sit in the car without any kind of booster or car seat. 

4. Keep Kids Out Of The Front Seat At Least Until The Age Of 12

Airbags are designed for adults, and can seriously injure or kill kids who are too small to be properly restrained when the airbag goes off during an accident. Usually, kids are big enough to be safely restrained in the front seat when they’re at least 12 years old.

Speak With a St. Louis Car Accident Lawyer If You or Your Kids Have Been Injured

If you or your children are injured in an accident, it’s important to get in touch with an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible to get the help you need as you pursue the compensation you deserve. Injuries can be traumatic and life-changing, especially for kids. Ensure your legal rights are protected by discussing the specifics of your claim with an experienced lawyer.