Car Seat Protection Laws in the U.S. – A Brief History
While drivers today understand the importance of a well-built car seat, these seats were not regulated at all until 1966 when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration passed the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This Act began the process of creating formal government regulations for children’s car seats.
However, many car manufacturers did not believe that these regulations were strict enough to actually protect children in the event of an accident. Today, many car manufacturers have their own set of internal seat regulations that are more strict than the ones enforced by the government. Regardless of which regulations a defective seat violates, it is still a serious safety concern for children.
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Types of Car Seat Defects
Your child’s car seat is crucial in ensuring that your child is safe and protected while you are driving on the road. According to the National Highway Transportation Administration, a well-built children’s car seat can reduce the risk of death or injury from a car accident by around 71% for infants and around 54% for toddlers. However, the important factor in these statistics is that the seat is working properly and not experiencing any defects. Some of the most common car seat defects include the following.
- Defective Latches
- Malfunctioning Buckle
- Inadequate padding
- Defective adjusters
- Defective Infant Car Seat Base Units
- Flammable Materials
- Poor Installation or Usage Instructions
- Weak Harness
- Defective Handles
- Defective Seat Belt
Our Lawyers Can Represent Clients Whose Children Have Been Injured By:
- A seat back collapsing onto a child in the back seat and injuring them
- Backless booster seats that do not provide adequate neck or head support and protection
- Child carriers that can come apart and be converted into other products
- Booster seats that lack adequate upper body restraints and allow a child to get out of the seat or hit their head
- Vehicle manufacturer seats that are not designed to properly support the use of a child seat.
Do you have questions about an incident? We’re available 24/7 to assist you and answer any questions, free of charge.
Liability for Injuries Suffered From Defective Child Car Seats
Injuries from a defective child seat can be dangerous and have long-lasting effects. These injuries need to be taken seriously, and the party found liable for the incident needs to be held accountable in a court of law. Determining who is at fault for the faulty chair can be difficult, but there are a few parties who can be found responsible.
Some of the parties who can be considered liable for injuries sustained due to a defective child car seat include the following.
- Product Manufacturers: The company who designed and manufactured the chair can be held liable in the event they sell a faulty product.
- Parties Who Have Altered The Vehicle: Some third parties will make unofficial alterations to a vehicle or car seat before selling it, putting everyone in the car at risk in the event of an accident. Buyers need to be aware of any alterations before purchasing from a third-party vendor.
- Car Distributors and Dealerships: The car dealership that sold the car can also be found liable if they did not follow the necessary procedures to ensure that the cars they sell abide by the necessary regulations.
Inadequate Safety Standards in the Car Seat Industry
As it currently stands, there is not an adequate amount of safety standards in the car seat industry. For example, children who are too big for car seats yet too small to be properly restrained by the car’s seat belt system are at a significantly higher risk of injury in the event of a car accident. In addition, there are no regulations for car seats in the event of a rollover accident or a side-impact crash.
Common Injuries Due to Defective Auto Seats
- Head And Brain Injuries
- Neck And Spinal Cord Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Lacerations And Bruises
- Joint Dislocations And Sprains
- Internal Injuries
- Death
Defective Car Seat Injury Compensation
While filing a legal claim with personal injury lawyers in California cannot reverse the injuries or bring back a loved one, it can provide you with the financial compensation you need to continue providing adequate care for both yourself and your loved ones. There are a few different types of compensation that you can earn, including:
- Medical Expenses
- Expenses Involved In Rehabilitation And Care
- Lost Income Due To An Inability To Work
- Pain And Suffering
- Punitive Damages
Pointing Defective Car Seat Victims in the Right Direction
Navigating the legal system can be confusing and overwhelming, which is why you need a team of personal injury lawyers in California on your side. Compass Law Group, LLP knows the ins and outs of the legal system, and we can help you build a strong case and get you the compensation that you deserve.
Contact Compass Law Group, LLP to point you in the right direction after discovering that your child’s car seat is defective. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not pay us a cent unless we win your case. Our team is located across California, including Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Oakland.
