From daily car trips to long-distance travel, it’s essential to consider how to keep your children safe in vehicles. You can’t control other drivers on the busy roads in and around Kansas City, but there are steps you can take, such as using proper safety equipment and following proper precautions, to keep your children as safe as possible. Even so, the actions of negligent drivers continue to put young passengers at risk.
At Fowler Pickert Eisenmenger Norfleet, our Kansas City serious child injury lawyers understand that protecting children requires not only taking preventive safety measures but also securing experienced legal guidance when your child is involved in a car accident. Below, we outline key strategies to help keep children safe and share important steps to take if your child is injured in a vehicle crash.
Choose and Use the Right Car Seat for Your Child
Selecting a quality car seat that’s appropriate for your child’s age and weight is your first line of defense against injuries in motor vehicle crashes. Choosing the right type of restraint system can mean the difference between child passenger safety and life-altering harm in a collision.
-
Kids under 2. For newborns and infants up to age 2, a rear-facing car seat provides crucial protection for their developing necks and spines. The car seat should be installed at a 45-degree angle for maximum protection during a collision.
-
Preschool kids. Children between 2 and 5 years old should use forward-facing car seats that have a harness. The harness is important because it spreads crash forces across the strongest parts of your child's body, reducing the risk of injury.
-
Elementary schoolers. School-age children who have outgrown their forward-facing seats should use belt-positioning booster seats until adult seat belts fit properly, which is typically when they reach a height of 4'9" or 80 pounds.
Even after graduating to regular seat belts, children under 13 should always ride in the back seat. The force of deploying airbags can seriously injure small passengers.
Practice Safe Loading and Unloading Habits
The moments when children are entering and exiting vehicles present unique dangers to their well-being. Parents can help prevent tragic accidents by teaching, requiring, and modeling proper safety habits.
-
Curbside loading. Always load and unload children on the curbside, away from traffic. This "safety side" approach protects them from passing vehicles that may not see small pedestrians.
-
Child locks. Always engage your car's child locks when your kids are in the car. Child locks on rear doors prevent curious kids from opening them while the vehicle is moving.
-
Seat belt safety. For older kids, establish and consistently enforce clear rules about buckling up before a car moves and staying seated until it comes to a complete stop.
Take Extra Precautions With Teen Drivers
There are new safety considerations and concerns introduced when kids transition from passenger to driver. Teen drivers need clear guidelines and continued parental involvement to develop safe driving habits.
-
Use a driving contract with teens. Create a driving contract outlining your teen's expectations about passengers, night driving, and mobile phone use.
-
Position driving as a privilege. Make sure your teen understands that driving is a privilege that requires maturity and good judgment.
-
Start slowly. It can be helpful to start slowly when there’s a new driver in the house. Consider gradually increasing driving privileges as your teen demonstrates responsibility.
-
Monitoring technology. Consider installing a monitoring system that tracks speed and other risky driving behaviors to help identify risky habits before they lead to accidents.
-
Openly discuss driving safety. Have regular conversations with teen drivers about road safety to help reinforce important lessons that can help protect them from harm.
Know What to Do If Your Child Is Injured in an Accident
Despite taking every precaution, accidents caused by negligent drivers can still happen. Knowing how to respond after a car crash helps protect your child's well-being and legal rights.
-
Seek medical attention. It’s always important to seek medical attention immediately after a crash, even if injuries seem minor. Some serious conditions may not show symptoms immediately, and proper documentation is crucial for any future legal claims.
-
Limit discussion. After an accident, it’s important to avoid discussing or speculating about fault or otherwise making statements that could be used against you later.
-
Preserve valuable evidence. Collect contact information from other drivers and witnesses, and be sure to take photos of the accident scene and the vehicles involved.
-
Track the crash’s impact. Keep detailed records of all your child’s medical treatments, missed school days, and changes in their behavior or abilities following the accident.
- Seek legal counsel. Consult a pediatric injury lawyer to learn about the unique challenges of seeking fair compensation for your child’s injuries in this type of case.
