Car Seat Safety
Being involved in a car wreck is scary enough, but when children are involved, it elevates that fear even further. Your first thought is, “Are my kids ok?” Car seat safety is extremely important, and could potentially save your child’s life.
So what are the car seat safety laws in Alabama? According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, infant-only or convertible car seats that are rear-facing must be used for infants until they reach one year of age, or 20 pounds. Forward-facing convertible car seats must be used until a child is 5 years old, or 40 pounds. Booster seats are to be used until a child reaches six years of age. ALEA also states that, “Every person transporting a child shall be responsible for assuring that each child is properly restrained.”
Properly installing a car seat is just as important as having the correct seat. Safe Kids Worldwide has a program to certify technicians in proper car seat safety. These technicians can be found all across the country, and by contacting them you can get one-on-one instruction on how to properly use and install your child’s car seat. In the greater Mobile area, USA Health has regular, free events for their certified technicians to check that your car seats are properly installed in your vehicle. It is also a good idea to register your child’s car seat for any possible recalls. You can do so here.
In the event that you are involved in a car wreck with child passengers, seek medical attention right away. Small children can not communicate effectively, so it is best to have them seen by a doctor to determine the severity of their injuries. Also, documentation of immediate medical treatment will benefit any personal injury case. Next, contact a personal injury attorney. A personal injury attorney will offer advice, and ensure that you are properly compensated for your injuries. And the third thing you should do after a car wreck involving children, is to replace your car seats. Most auto insurance companies will replace your car seat for free if it is involved in an accident. The force of impact from a crash can compromise the structure of a car seat and will be ineffective in protecting them further. Every policy is different, so contact your auto insurance provider for more information.
If you have any furthers questions about car seat safety, you can call us 24/7 at (251) 300-2000 or stop by our office located at 51 North Florida Street in Mobile, Alabama. You never need an appointment to speak to a lawyer at Greene & Phillips.
