Kentucky car accidents are often harrowing, dangerous collisions for everyone involved, but especially little ones. According to the CDC, buckling children into age and size-appropriate car seats can reduce the risk of injury in a crash by up to 82%.
If you have an infant, a rear-facing car seat that uses a harness placed in the back can minimize the risk of a serious injury or fatality.
Tips for proper buckling
After your baby is born, it has one curve instead of the three a fully developed spine has, and her head is somewhat oversized. When placed in a rear-facing child safety seat, it cradles the spine, neck and head in a crash. Here are tips for ensuring she is in the harness correctly:
- Use the slots for shoulder straps located at or below your child’s shoulders.
- Ensure the straps lie flat and remain snug without pinching.
- Position the chest clip at armpit level.
Bulky cold-weather gear can interfere with the tightness of the harness. If possible, do not put a blanket or outerwear between your child and the harness. Instead, please a blanket over her after she is securely strapped in.
Common cars seat defects
Despite close inspection, you may not see any obvious signs of a car seat defect. Difficult latches, faulty adjusters or buckles that will not stay snug are among the most dangerous issues. Low-quality materials or a weak frame can lower the car seat’s ability to withstand the force during a collision, increasing the potential for infant injuries. It may result in serious injuries. It can also increase the chances of ejection from the car in a crash.
If your child suffered catastrophic injuries in a crash due to a defective car seat, you might have grounds for a claim.