The Importance of Having the Right Car Seat in an Accident

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Car Wreck Lawyer Brian Brunson - Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer

The Car Seat Finder is a simple tool designed to assist you in selecting the appropriate car seat for your child. All you need to do is enter your child’s age, height, and weight, and it will suggest the types of car seats that are suitable for them. It is advised by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to keep your kids in rear-facing car seats for as long as you can, until they hit the maximum height or weight limits of the seat. This recommendation is supported by a recent study indicating that children under the age of 2 are 75% less likely to suffer serious injuries or fatalities in a car accident when they are secured in a rear-facing safety seat.

Are Rear-Facing Car Seats Really Safer?

A study released in October 2015 by the Journal of Traffic Injury Prevention revealed that infants and young babies are at a greater risk of serious head injuries during rear-end collisions when they are in rear-facing car seats than was previously believed. However, the study emphasized that parents should continue using rear-facing car seats and should only transition their children to front-facing seats when the child is developmentally ready for that change. The sole piece of negative feedback that this study uncovered regarding rear-facing child car seats is that there is a need for improvements in their safety during rear-impact collisions.

The Law Office of Brian Brunson wants you to know the reasons why rear-facing car seats are considered safer than front-facing ones for infants. It will discuss the recommended duration for keeping your child in a rear-facing position and tackle common worries that parents might have about these types of car seats. By gaining a better understanding of rear-facing car seats, you’ll be equipped to ensure the safety of your little one, no matter what challenges you might face while driving.

How Car Seats Help During An Accident

When kids are little, their heads and spines are still growing, making these crucial parts of their bodies more vulnerable to serious injuries. This is especially true since a young child’s head is relatively bigger compared to their neck, which can increase the risk of harm.

In a frontal collision, a rear-facing car seat effectively secures a child’s neck, head, and chest, significantly reducing the risk of excessive movement that could harm the child’s neck. Conversely, if the child is placed in a front-facing car seat during the same type of crash, the harness would hold the child’s body in place, but this could lead to the head and neck being thrust forward, increasing the likelihood of spinal injuries.

When it comes to side-impact collisions, rear-facing car seats are shown to be safer than front-facing ones. This is mainly because, during such impacts, a child’s head and neck are at a greater risk of being jolted around if they are in a front-facing position. The primary advantage of using a rear-facing car seat for young kids is that it distributes the forces from a frontal crash evenly across the child’s back, neck, and head, which helps to avoid any snapping motion that could harm their body and neck.

When it comes to rear-end collisions, rear-facing car seats may not provide the level of protection that many parents hope for, which is a significant issue for car seat manufacturers today. It’s crucial for parents to understand that front-end crashes are typically more frequent and tend to be more serious than those that occur from behind.

How Age Determines the Type of Car Seat Your Child Should Use

In general, it’s recommended that children stay in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 3 years old. However, the decision to switch from rear-facing to front-facing really depends on the individual child’s weight and height, as well as the specifications of their car seat.

When your two-year-old is nearing the weight limit of their car seat, which is typically between 22 and 35 pounds, or if their head is just an inch away from the top of the infant seat, it’s a good idea to get a rear-facing convertible seat. These seats are bigger and designed to keep your child in a rear-facing position until they reach around 45 pounds, and some even accommodate children up to 50 pounds while still facing backward.

Convertible car seats are awesome because once your child hits around 45 pounds and you’re ready to turn them to face forward, you can just flip the seat around without any hassle.

IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT, CONTACT THE LAW OFFICE OF BRIAN BRUNSON TODAY.

Named one of the “Best Car Accident Lawyers in Dallas” by Expertise.com, Brian Brunson is Dallas personal injury attorney who is dedicated to helping clients who have suffered a car, truck, or motorcycle injury through the negligent or wrongful conduct of other drivers. In addition, his professionalism is unmatched and the firms’ client reviews speak for themselves.

We proudly serve the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and surrounding areas, our office supports the legal needs of a wide variety of clients. Let the Law Office of Brian Brunson be your advocate in your time of need and help you put your life back together. If we can’t win or settle your case, you don’t pay a dime! We know it can be daunting to take that first step after you’ve been hurt. Contact Brian Brunson today via email or call us toll-free at 1-844-41-WRECK. We can help, when no one else will.