You would do anything to protect your newborn or young child from harm. So, naturally, when you need to travel somewhere by car with your child you ensure your child is placed in a child seat. However, with so many child seat models and varieties, are you certain that the seat you are using is appropriate for your child and will keep him or her safe in the event of a crash? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that car crashes are one of the top causes of death for children between the ages of one year and 13 years. Carr & Carr, Attorneys at Law and lawyer Patrick Carr want you to be aware of government regulations concerning child car seats so that you and your child to be safe every time you hit the road.
Overriding Child Car Seat Considerations
NHTSA has a simple and memorable answer to the question, “Which car seat is right for my child?” The answer is this: The “right” car seat is one you know how to install and use properly and one that you will consistently use each time you are traveling with your child. There is some wisdom in this answer: Even the most well-constructed and sturdy child safety seat is of little value to you and your child if you do not know how to use it and/or do not ensure your child is placed in the seat while you are driving.
Oklahoma Government Standards for Car Seats
As memorable and well-intentioned as NHTSA’s answer is, it provides little concrete guidance for parents. In Oklahoma, the following rules apply to the use of child safety seats:
- A child who is eight years of age or older, or who is over four feet nine inches tall, must wear a seatbelt while riding as a passenger in the car regardless of whether the child is riding in the front of the car or in the rear;
- Children who are over 40 pounds in weight can ride in the rear of the vehicle and use a lap restraint provided that the vehicle is not equipped with a shoulder and lap restraint system (if so, then the child must use the shoulder and lap restraint);
- Children who are shorter than four feet nine inches and/or or who are between the ages of four and eight must be placed in a child safety restraint system or a child safety booster seat.
- Children younger than four years of age must be secured in a child safety restraint system. If the child is younger than two years of age, this restraint system shall be rear-facing.
The packaging of child safety restraint seats and booster seats must meet certain requirements in order to be certified as acceptable for use. Seats that do not meet these requirements may not be marketed as child safety seats. Additionally, seats that do not provide the requisite protections to children may cause the manufacturer of the seat to be liable to a parent for the parent’s child’s injuries in the event that the child was injured in a crash.
Where Can Parents Turn To for Additional Help?
Parents who have questions about whether a car seat is appropriate for their child or who have concerns about installing and using their child’s car seat can consult with local law enforcement officers or other child protective agencies for assistance. If your child is injured in a car crash, Carr & Carr, your Oklahoma car crash law firm, can assist you and your family in recovering compensation for the expenses and losses your child and your family experience. We have offices in both Tulsa and Oklahoma Ciyt. Call Carr & Carr, Attorneys at Law today at (800) 777-4878 for help.
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