How to Keep Your Child Safe in a Car

 Posted on May 02, 2017 in Personal Injury

For parents and caretakers, child passenger safety is of paramount importance. Children are extremely vulnerable in car accidents, and for that reason, there are additional safety requirements meant to protect them.

Requirements of the Illinois Child Passenger Protection Act

The Child Passenger Protection Act mandates that children under eight years old use a child safety restraint system.

For children who are the proper size for a booster seat, a safety belt that has both a lap and shoulder strap must be used. If the back seat of the car does not have such a belt, Illinois law provides that a child who weighs more than 40 pounds does not need to use a booster seat and may use the lap belt only.

Child Safety Restraint System Guidelines

In addition to following the car seat manufacturer’s instructions, the state of Illinois also offers the following guidance.

• Newborn-12 months. Children in this age range who weigh less than 20 pounds are to use an infant or convertible seat installed rear-facing. A seat that is rear-facing should never be installed in front of an active airbag.
• Ages 1-4. It is advised that children use a rear-facing seat until two years old, or until they are at the height or weight limit of the safety seat. Once this occurs, a child can use a forward-facing seat. When forward-facing, the top of the ears of the child should not rest above the top of the car seat.
• Ages 4-8. At this age, a child should use a seat with an internal harness system until he or she reaches the height or weight limit of the seat. At this point, the child may use a booster seat with a belt positioner.
• Ages 8-12. A booster seat should be used until a child is tall enough to use an adult lap/shoulder belt with proper positioning.

Car Accidents Involving Children Are Different

It is important to follow all laws and safety advice for children riding in cars. Even taking these precautions, accidents happen and injuries can be serious.

When a child is compensated for his or her injuries following an accident, that compensation must be enough to cover all future expenses such as medical bills and in-home care. In the case of a child, with many years left to live, this is an important consideration.

Contact a Lombard, IL Car Accident Lawyer

If your child has been injured, you should contact an attorney to review your case and help ensure that your child receives all the help he or she deserves under law. Contact the DuPage County car accident attorneys at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices at 630-932-9100 to set up an initial meeting with our qualified attorneys.