Car Accidents Are Leading Cause of Death for Children

 Posted on December 00, 0000 in Car Accidents

Unintentional injury from car accidents is the most common cause of death for children under the age of 15. It is reported that 2,855 children in the United States have died in car accidents between 2010 and 2014. Many children who die due to car accidents were not wearing seat belts. Moreover, 43 percent of children were not properly restrained.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas completed an analysis on the data collected from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. The study found that the rate of children’s death in each state varied and that one type of road is more dangerous than other types. In fact, 67 percent of deaths of children occurred on rural roads. Poor lighting, lack of knowledge of the roads, and considerable distance to the emergency room are factors that can help explain why rural roads are considered to be the most dangerous road. The study found that seat belts and restraints can help prevent child injury and death.

How children should be wearing seatbelts

1. The best way to determine whether your child is ready for the seat belt alone is by doing the Safety Belt Fit Test. Your child’s feet should be touching the floor and his or her knees should be bending at the edge of the seat. The shoulder belt should fit across your child’s shoulder and chest. The lap belt should fit across your child’s hips and upper thighs.

2. If your child does not pass the Safety Belt Fit Test, keep him or her in a booster seat until the test is passed.

3. Do the seat belt test in every car. Your child may pass the test in one car, but the seat belt may not fit him or her properly in another vehicle.

4. Wear your seat belt every time you drive. This sets a good example for children to follow when they sit in the car and when they reach driving age.

Contact an Experienced Lake County Car Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident due to another person’s negligence, contact our firm today. Our Waukegan personal injury attorneys will strive to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Whether the accident occurred due to negligence, a defective product, or some other reason, our firm will help you obtain the damages you are owed for medical bills, injuries, and lost time from work.

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/29/health/car-accidents-child-deaths-seat-belts.html?_r=0

https://www.safekids.org/safetytips/field_risks/seatbelt