How Safe Are Car Seats and What Are Common Injuries Children Sustain in Car Accidents?

On June 1, 2007, the revised Child Restraint Law went into effect in the State of Washington. The death of a young boy in a rollover accident prompted the revision. Four-year-old Aaron Skeen was wearing a seatbelt that was allowed by state law at the time.
However, the belt was built for an adult body and Aaron was a child. He slid out of it in the crash, was thrown from the car and killed. Washington’s revised Child Restraint Law became one of the strongest such laws in the nation. Its rules included the use of child restraints for children who are less than four feet nine inches tall or less than eight years old.

The updated Child Restraint law in Washington includes these revisions:

* Children less than 2 years old must have rear-facing car seats.
* Children 2-4 years should use forward facing seats until they become too tall or too heavy for the specified seat belts.
* Children shorter than 4’9″ but older than 4 who have outgrown the regular seat should use booster seats, which most probably will continue in use until
they are 10-12 years old.
* Children whose weight and age allow safe use of regular car seats should also
use lap and shoulder seat belts.

Such emphasis on child car restraints comes from years of study about the results of car accidents involving children of all ages. Rear-facing seats for younger children and correctly positioned seat belt for older children can and do protect, especially against injuries to the spine, head, and neck.

For anyone who is involved in a car accident in Vancouver WA, especially an accident involving children, it is important not only to know the law but to involve an attorney who knows the law. Call (name) because we do know the law and we can help.