Child Seat Belt Safety

Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death among children in the U.S. Buckling up is the single most important thing anyone can do to prevent serious injuries and death in a car accident, yet the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found in a recent study that in one year, more than 618,000 children aged 0-12 years old rode in a motor vehicle without the use of a child safety seat, child booster seat, or seatbelt at least part of the time. This study also found that of the children under the age of 12 years old that died in a car crash, 35% were not buckled up in some manner. 

To keep your child safe when riding in a motor vehicle, follow these child seat belt safety tips:

• Do not be in a hurry to move your child from a booster seat to a seat belt. Seat belts were designed for adults and they usually do not fit a child properly until the child is at least 4 feet 9 inches tall, or between 8-12 years old.
• Before moving your child from the booster seat, follow the Safety Belt Fit Test:
  • Check their knees and feet: Your child’s knees should bend at the edge of the car seat while their back and bottom are against the vehicle seat back and their feet should touch the floor.
  • Check the lap belt: The lap belt should fit comfortably against the child’s upper thighs or hips.
  • Check the shoulder belt: The shoulder belt should fit against the chest and shoulder, not the neck and face.
• Never allow your child to tuck the shoulder belt behind them or to share seatbelts with another person.
• If your child does not pass the fit test, they should remain in the booster seat. Every car will be different, so the fit test should be done in each vehicle your child will be riding in.
• Keep all children under the age of 13 in the backseat.
• Be a good example. Children emulate what adults do, so it is important that you wear your seatbelt every time you are in a motor vehicle. 

If your child has been injured in a car 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.

We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at 844 See Mike, we put People, First. 

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google.  Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.