Automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for children ages five to fourteen according to the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The importance of safety seats

Without proper safety restraints, children can be severely injured or killed during a collision. This can be caused by coming into contact with the vehicle interior or from being ejected from the vehicle.

The NHTSA has stated that safety restraints should be used for all children until they are eight years old, or reach a height of 4’9”. This is because the safety features of automobiles are designed for adults, leaving children vulnerable.

Safety seats are necessary for the survival of infants and children in the case of an accident, but the failure of a safety seat may cause further injury and death.

Government Testing of Child Safety Seats is Flawed

The regulation of infant safety seats is conducted by the NHTSA which is widely considered to be ill equipped to handle such a task. The majority of testing is left to the manufacturers who do only the minimal testing required by the NHTSA and miss many of the defects present in these seats. Defects need only be reported to the NHTSA if they fall within the loose requirements set forth by the agency. Recalls of infant safety seats are voluntary.

Unfortunately little is done to ensure the safety of child car seats. Consumers must take their own steps to ensure their child’s safety seat will protect their children. Research child safety seats before you decide to purchase one. Find the seat that is most suitable to your particular vehicle. Read the instructions carefully before installing the safety seat and visit a child safety seat inspection location near your home. Register your seat with the company who manufactured it to ensure you will be notified of any recalls, and scan the internet periodically for any recalls on your child’s car seat.

Safety seat defects

The failure of a safety seat due to poor design and construction will not properly protect a child and can lead to serious lifelong injuries or wrongful death. Possible defects in safety seat design or construction may result in:

• Shoulder straps that unclip or loosen, resulting in ejection
• Poor pelvic protection, which causes the child to slide down
• The inability for the safety belt to hold the safety seat in place
• Cracking of plastic parts
• Separation of the infant carrier from its mounting base
• Inadequate head protection
• A buckle that can release during an impact

Possible results from defective safety seats

Defective safety seats have the potential to cause injury that could have been easily prevented. Infants and children may suffer from brain damage, spinal and neck injury, paralysis, loss of limbs and death due to defective safety seats.

Contacting an attorney

If your child has suffered a serious injury or death due to defects in the design or construction of a child safety seat, contact our experienced attorneys for a free consultation.