When traveling with a child in Chicago, many parents worry about safety. While most parents take every precaution possible, unfortunately car accidents still happen in the city every day and many of them involve children. Advances in safety equipment and the design of vehicles have decreased the number of children who are hurt annually in collisions but these numbers are still high and the injuries that result are often devastating.
An injury to a minor may be distressing to an entire family and may leave parents with questions, including how best to protect their children’s interests and to make sure their children receive all possible relief possible. As the facts surrounding every collision vary, it is a good idea to consult with a personal injury lawyer in Chicago who has experience helping children and their families to learn about the options that may be available if a car accident has harmed your family.
The hustle and bustle of daily life means that parents are often rushing to get from place to place, taking their children with them in many cases. When running behind or traveling in a hurry, it can be easy to overlook some of the safety features that are designed to protect children. Experts recommend that all mandated safety rules and regulations be followed at all times to decrease the risk injuries in the event that a child is involved in a car accident. Before driving, consider the following:
– Always use a proper car seat or booster: Illinois law requires that all children in a car, regardless of age or location, be properly restrained with an approved child restraint system. Children under the age of two should always ride in a rear facing car seat in the back seat of a vehicle and children should remain rear facing beyond that point until their weight or height reaches the limit of the seat. Beyond that point, children should be placed in a front facing car seat until the child outgrows that seat. Current requirements and expert recommendations mean that a child too large for a front facing car seat should ride in a booster seat so that a seat belt fits properly until the child is the size of an adult as determined by the minimum height and weight requirements of the car’s seat belt.
– Do not let children ride in the front seat until after age 12: The Illinois Secretary of State’s website recommends that all parents keep children in the back seat until they are older than 12 years. But air bags, seat belts, and other safety features vary from vehicle to vehicle so it is always best to err on the side of caution and to review all relevant material before moving a child to the front seat.
– Encourage children to think safety first: Habits form at a very young age so anytime can be a teaching time for parents. Talking about the importance of seat belts, car seats, and other safety features with your children can install a sense of importance in them from an early age and help them understand why it is important to follow the rules of safety while riding in a car.
Taking all safety precautions with your children while they are inside the vehicle may reduce the risk of injuries in the event that a crash occurs, but until all car accidents are eliminated, injuries are still occurring and causing damages to Chicago families.
The lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. devote themselves to the representation of those who have been hurt by the actions of others, including children and minors, and we are ready to help you as well. If your child has been injured in an accident, call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and let us provide you with a free case consultation.
We have a lawyer standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to speak with you without any obligation on your part. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we never charge our clients a fee unless we make a recovery in their cases and everything discussed during the initial call will be kept confidential.
If an accident has changed the lives of those in your family, call Abels & Annes, P.C. today and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.
Prior Blog Entry:
Safely Passing a Bicycle when Driving in Chicago, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published September 25, 2014.
Resource:
Child Safety, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.