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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 183,000 children were injured in car crashes in 2018 (latest available data), which equates to more than 500 injuries per day. Many of these child injuries could have been avoided if car seats were installed and used correctly.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) and the National Safety Council (NSC) shared new research in September 2021, shedding light on the extent to which U.S. parents and caregivers are informed about car seat installation and use.

The  National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF) database shows more than half of all car seats that were brought in for inspection were installed and used improperly. Generally, only 1 in 5 parents and caregivers seek expert assistance installing or securing their children in car seats.

The NDCF database also revealed:

1. There are three common mistakes. These include (1) having the car seat installation be too loose, (2) failing to use the tether when installing a forward-facing car seat with either the lower anchors or seat belt, and (3) leaving harness straps too loose when securing a child in a car seat.
2. Children are often transitioned out of the appropriate car seats before it is safe to do so. More than a quarter of children are moved from forward-facing car seats to booster seats too soon, and more than 90 percent of children using lap-and-shoulder seat belts under the age of 10 should still be in a car seat or booster seat.
3. Parents and caregivers are less likely to seek car seat inspections as children grow into forward-facing and booster car seats. Child passenger safety technicians inspect about four times the amount of rear-facing car seats than they do forward-facing car seats, and 73 percent of forward-facing seats are not correctly installed.

The National Child Passenger Safety Board, managed by the NSC, has a free online course Car Seat Basics to help parents understand the four stages of child passenger safety. This course was developed by the NSC through working with the NHTSA.

“We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. encourage parents to get their car seats inspected so they know their children are protected. The AAA has more information about resources for families that include free car seat inspections held at AAA branch offices. To access this information, please go to AAA.com/SafeSeats4Kids,” said Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney Randall Spivey.

“If you or your loved one has been injured in an accident because of the negligence of another, please contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. after seeking medical attention. If your child is hurt as a passenger in another person’s vehicle, you may also be able to recover compensation. Our experienced Fort Myers child injury legal team is available to assist you 24/7, and there are no costs or attorney fees until we receive a monetary recovery for you. Our firm provides personal contact and communication along with aggressive representation. Here is what a couple of our clients say about working with our team:

• I have no words that can explain how wonderful of an experience I had with Spivey Law!! It was such a stressful time for me and I was lost. This group asked me to trust them “which I have a hard time trusting anybody” but they literally were beside me every step of the way. I felt protected like family. Delma M. 

• Spivey and his legal team were completely amazing. When you are living through something where you need this type of attorney, Randall Spivey's law firm is who you need. I highly recommend them. Mr. Spivey and Mary worked extremely hard for us. I feel like they are family now. Diana G.” 

Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney  Randall L. Spivey is a Board-Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one percent (1%) of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County at 239.793.7748.