Accidents Among Children
For any parent, few things are worse than the thought of a child being injured or killed. If disaster strikes in a worst-case scenario due to someone else’s negligence, it’s imperative that parents seek an experienced personal injury attorney as quickly as possible to earn their child’s deserved compensation.
All children riding in your vehicle should have the appropriate restraints at all times. According to the CDC, the year 2011 saw more than 650 children under thirteen years of age lose their lives in auto accidents, and the child was not safely buckled-in in one-third of those accidents. Babies up to one year old are 74% less likely to sustain serious or fatal injuries when car seats are used properly, children between one and four years old are 54% less likely, and children who use both booster seats and seat belts (rather than just seat belts) are 45% less likely.
The best restraint system for a child in a car depends on his/her age and height/weight. Infants should sit in rear-facing car seats until they meet their upper height/weight limits, generally around two years of age. They should then use a front-facing seat until around five years old, at which point they should use booster seats until they are tall enough to use a standard seat and seat belt. Also, children under the age of twelve should not ride in the front seat facing an active airbag, as the airbag itself could cause serious injuries in the event of an accident.
The assistance of an experienced injury lawyer is particularly important if your child has been injured on a school bus, as liability claims against government entities (i.e. school districts) have different rules and regulations than claims against individuals or businesses.
– Pedestrian/bicycle accidents
Accidents in which a child is struck by a vehicle often occur when the driver failed to see the child or was unable to do so; many minivans and SUVs, for example, are at such a height that young children may not be seen from any of the rearview mirrors.
When your child is riding a bicycle, make sure that they are always wearing an appropriate helmet. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that helmets reduce the risks of head injuries among children by as much as 85%.
While most dogs are safe and friendly around young children, some may be more prone to feeling threatened or intimated and acting out accordingly. Most children have yet to understand how to be careful and gentle with animals so as not to scare them, and inadvertently do the opposite, while some dogs are simply vicious or poorly-trained and their owners fail to take proper precautions when strangers, especially children, are present. About 800,000 Americans require medical treatment each year for dog bites, and nearly half of these are children. Seeking the help of an experienced injury attorney is essential to secure your child’s rights to compensation and fair legal treatment.
If your child has suffered an injury in an accident, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
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