Car Seats — What You’re Probably Not Aware of

Car seats are designed to save lives during the event of an auto accident — but only if they’re installed correctly. Despite the information available online and in product safety manuals, parents in Farmington, Utah and nationwide continue to use and install these devices incorrectly — a mistake that could prove fatal and warrant the need for a lawyer. 

Autobytel — a site providing dealers and manufacturers with the resources for improving sales and information for empowering consumers — writes, “More than 70 percent of child safety restraints in the United States are installed or used incorrectly.” Every parent should note the following tips and facts about car seats to prevent a serious injury and a call to their lawyer. 

Two of the most common mistakes made with regard to car seats involve turning a child forward-facing too early or moving to a larger car seat too quickly. Autobytel cautions, “Rear-facing provides more support to the child’s neck...For children under two years, rear facing is more than 500 percent safer than forward facing.” 

Another common mistake made by parents in Farmington and across the U.S. is using an accessory or toy attachment for a car seat – that didn’t come packaged with it. Autobytel says these devices can be dangerous in an auto accident and may even cause an insurance company to deny your claim if they cause additional harm or damage. 

The auto information site also warns that car seats have expiration dates. The date of expiration can be found on the bottom or back of your child’s car seat. Expired seats should be thrown away immediately. 

Parenting — a site providing parenting tips, health and safety information — says an overwhelming amount of parents in Farmington and across the U.S. fail to contact car seat safety professionals. These local, trained individuals are skilled in the appropriate installation of car seats to prevent serious injuries or fatalities during an auto accident and reduce the need for a lawyer. 

Car seat safety professionals are usually located at fire or police departments and can also be found using seatcheck.org. After correct installation, Parenting says to make sure your child’s safety harness fits correctly – parents should be able to fit one finger between child’s collar bone and the harness.

Following these safety precautions will help keep your child safe during an accident. Nonetheless, if you’re a parent in Farmington or nationwide and you or your child are injured in an auto accident, contact a lawyer for help recovering. 

Nicole Donaldson is a legal writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Robert J Debry. Follow on Twitter.