Proper car seat safety is key in potentially saving your child’s life. One of the most overlooked things parents face these days is that their children are not being buckled in- correctly.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), two out of three child safety seats are not used correctly.
“Save Me With a Car Seat” Campaign
September is the Texas Department of Transportation’s Save Me with a Seat campaign where parents are encouraged to sign up for a free safety seat check-up at any of their 25 district offices in the state. These free safety seat inspections take about 20-30 minutes and are available weekdays throughout the year as well. Parents need to take advantage of these opportunities. Why not take advantage of this at no cost? Just a small portion of your day could make all the difference.
The most common mistake is not being buckled-in correctly, which is usually associated with the size of the safety seat being used. Unfortunately, more often than not, it is the wrong size. Just like children grow out of their clothes, the same thing applies to car seats.
The Law requires all children under 8 years old, unless they are taller than 4 feet, 9 inches, to be in a safety seat whenever they ride in a vehicle. Fines for failing to do so can be up to $250.
Avoid Secondhand Car Seats
TxDOT warns to not buy a secondhand car seat as you do not know what condition they are in or if they have been recalled. Purchasing secondhand could save you money, but cost you a life. It is highly recommended that car seats all be registered. This helps ensure parents are notified about recalls and guided through the repair process. Usually, the car seat comes with the registration information that can then be done online with your vehicle manufacturer to give you peace of mind. Often times, you can also look up the website of the car seat brand to do this.
Children rely and depend on their parents for safety. They have no sense of what needs to be done or what the law says needs to be done. This is the parents’ duty to be on top of. It is necessary for parents to make sure of what needs to be done and abide by the law to ensure their children are safe. Children trust that their parents know this.
Many times accidents render the car seats unsafe. It is the responsibility of the adult to replace car seats. This is to ensure they will hold up in the event of a future accident.
These minor things are taken for granted many times. Being in a rush or going about the day can deter you from these minor, but crucial things. Staying on top of these things can save lives and make sure that our children are as safe as necessary. As a parent top priority should always be your child’s safety. Just a few extra minutes getting the car seats checked out or registered could make all the difference. Always take a few extra minutes. It could potentially be what saves your child’s life.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
ABOUT HERRMAN & HERRMAN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
