As a parent of a small child, you want to do everything possible to keep your little one safe. While car accidents are sometimes unavoidable, there are steps you can take to minimize the severity of any personal injuries and protect yourself and your passengers. Below, learn about three of these precautionary measures in more detail.

How to Lower Your Risk of Severe Auto Accident Injuries

1. Wear Seatbelts

Make it a family rule that the key doesn't turn in the ignition until everyone in the vehicle has their seatbelt on. If you're sitting in the front seat and are buckled in, you reduce the risk of fatal injuries by 45 percent and the risk of moderate to critical personal injuries by 50 percent. Be sure the buckle snaps into the fastener and the belt is taut across the chest of all vehicle occupants.

2. Follow Child Safety Seat Laws

Child safety seats are required in all 50 states. In Nevada, all children six years old and younger must use a safety seat when riding in a vehicle. Children ages zero to three need a rear-facing seat until they reach the maximum weight and height stipulated by the seat's manufacturer. Then, from the approximate ages of four to six, they should have a forward-facing seat.

After that, a child isn't legally required to have a safety seat, but purchasing them a booster seat is a smart precautionary measure until they are twelve or 4'9".

3. Practice Defensive Driving

When you drive defensively, you utilize safety techniques to predict and minimize the chances of an accident or personal injury. Defensive driving includes maintaining vigilant attention on the road around you at all times, using the two-second rule for following distances, and being ready to react and adjust speed as necessary.

Drivers should know all state traffic laws and aim to share the roads respectfully with other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Defensive driving is all about anticipating danger and making safe decisions to avoid mishaps.

If you or someone in your vehicle was injured because of another driver's negligence or recklessness, contact the law firm of Kidwell & Gallagher. Based out of Elko, they have been representing Nevada clients in personal injury and workers' compensation claims for over 20 years. Call (775) 738-1000 to schedule a consultation today. Learn more about their practice areas online. Read from satisfied former clients on Google.