According to recent news sources, the American Academy of Pediatrics has new recommendations for child safety seats. The new recommendations are based on car accident statistics of children.
The changes primarily affect young infants up to age 2. Experts advise that these children remain in rear-facing car seats for as long as possible. Riding in a rear-facing seat drastically reduces the risk of fatality in the event of a crash, because the impact of the crash is distributed over the child’s entire body rather than just the head and neck. Because a child’s head is proportionately larger than the rest of their body, a sudden impact can violently shake the child, contributing to spinal cord injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warns that children should stay in rear-facing seats until they meet the requirements of the weight limits.
As a Los Angeles car accident lawyer, I hope that parents will heed this new recommendation by safety experts. In my experience as a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer, I’ve seen how preventative measures can save a life. If your child or someone you care about has been injured in a car accident and believe it was the fault of a defective product, please contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
