Car accident injury attorneys know that numerous people are hurt in auto collisions every day. Unfortunately, this includes a large number of children. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 150 kids are treated for an auto injury every hour. But while the road is often unpredictable and some accidents are unpreventable, there are steps parents can take to make their children safer.

How to Reduce the Risk of Auto Injury When Driving Your Children Around

1. Choose Correct Seat Placement

Children should never ride in the front passenger seat, even if they are no longer required to be in a car seat. If you get into an accident and your airbags deploy, they can cause severe harm to their head and ribcage. The back seat is a much safer place for kids to ride until they’re at least 13.

2. Follow Proper Car Seat Guidelines

Often, children sustain auto injuries because they were not properly restrained. From birth to age two, children should be in a rear-facing car seat. From two to five, they should be in a forward-facing car seat. Afterward, they should be in a booster seat until a seat belt fits over them correctly. Height and weight limits also need to be considered.

3. Dress Your Children Appropriately

Kids should be dressed in clothing that allows a car seat’s harness to fit snugly over their body. This is the only way the seatbelt will be able to do its job and keep your child securely in place in a collision. In cold weather, leave bulky jackets off and use a blanket to keep kids warm. 

4. Avoid Distractions

Car accident injury attorneys have heard many stories of how distracted driving has led to tragic traffic accidents. Therefore, do your due diligence and don’t text or otherwise use your cell phone when behind the wheel. Similarly, parents may be tempted to look back when their child suddenly cries or fusses, but it is dangerous to take your eyes off the road. Have another individual in the car check on the baby or pull over to the side of the road at the nearest opportunity to discover the cause of their alarm.

Should another driver cause a collision that ends up seriously harming your child, reach out to a car accident injury attorney at Salerno & Associates to explore your legal options. They will guide you through the complex process of filing a personal injury claim so you can recover the damages your family is entitled to. With more than three decades of experience serving the residents of Omaha, NE, their team of car accident injury attorneys can be entrusted to provide you with effective representation and counsel. Call (866) 787-2598 or contact them via the website to schedule a free consultation.