The Wrong Safety Restraints May Put Your Children at Risk in a Crash

By Thomas Greer | February 13, 2015

It is illegal in Tennessee to drive or ride in a car without a seat belt – and with good reason, too. Of the 70 car crash fatalities in our state in 2015, at least 30 people were not wearing seat belts. But for young children, wearing a seat belt may not be enough when it comes to staying safe.

Child Safety Restraints - Car Accident LawyersAccording to Safe Kids Worldwide, “a global organization dedicated to preventing injuries in children,” the primary cause of death for children between the ages of one and 19 is motor vehicle accidents. Their data indicates that kids “ages 2 to 5 who use safety belts prematurely are four times more likely to suffer a serious head injury in a crash than those in child safety seats or booster seats,” and that 31% of children under 12 who die in accidents are unrestrained at the time.

In response to these types of statistics, Tennessee has passed a law requiring all children ages eight and younger to use a booster seat while they are in the car. Once your child has reached the age of nine, however, or if your child is larger or smaller than “normal,” it can be hard to determine which steps to take next.

What you should know about safety restraint systems

The site provides quick and easy-to-understand tutorials for parents about how to choose the proper safety restraint system.  Children should remain in a booster seat unless:

  • They are at least 4’9” and between 80 and 100lbs
  • The seatbelt crosses over their chests, not their necks
  • The lap belt fits securely over their hips and upper thighs
  • Your child’s knees bend at the edge of these seat when his/her back and rear end are up against the seat

By following these guidelines, you can help keep your child safe in case of an accident. You can also reach out to your local police for more help with car seat inspections or for more information about the laws governing child safety restraints in Tennessee.

Protect your child’s future

At Bailey & Greer, PLLC we understand how important it is to keep your children safe. If your child was hurt in a car crash, or if your safety restraint system failed, we want to help you. Please contact our office to schedule a consultation with a skilled car accident lawyer serving Memphis, Jackson and West Tennessee.

Posted in Auto Accidents, Blog, Safety