South Carolina child car seat statistics show that car accidents are a leading cause of death in children under 14. In 2019, approximately 1,050 accidents resulted in child fatalities across the United States, with around 189,000 children being injured in car crashes. The proper installation and maintenance of child safety seats can reduce the risk of death or injury by a significant percentage. For instance, when a child safety seat is appropriately installed, it can reduce the risk of death or injury by 71% for infants and up to 54% for toddlers. Even older children wearing seat belts increase their chance of surviving a car crash by over 45%. Therefore, parents should be aware of the child car seat laws in South Carolina to ensure their child’s safety and obey the law. Many parents do their best to keep their children safe in their car seats, but understanding the South Carolina car seat laws is crucial to ensure proper installation and maintenance.
Quick links: What Should I Do If We’re In An Accident And My Child Is Injured?, Car Seat Check Near You, Does My Child File A Separate Claim If Hurt In A Car Accident?, Car Seats Are Often Recalled – Check Your Make & Model Frequently, Contact The Lovely Law Firm If Your Child Has Been In A Car Accident
What Are The South Carolina Car Seat Laws?
South Carolina car seat laws apply to various types of car seats including rear-facing car seats and front-facing car seats. It’s important to follow these laws, as it is not only illegal to go against them, but it puts children’s lives in danger by doing so. Here are the South Carolina car seat laws that pertain to various types of car seats.
Rear Facing Car Seat Age
Rear Facing Car Seat AgeIn South Carolina, it is a legal car seat requirement for children under the age of two to ride in a rear-facing car seat located in the back seat of the vehicle. This law is based on extensive research that shows that rear-facing car seats offer the most effective protection for infants and toddlers in the event of a crash. Rear-facing car seats are designed to protect a child’s head, neck, and spine in case of a sudden stop or collision. Therefore, it is crucial to select an appropriate car seat that fits the child’s age and weight and ensure that it is correctly installed and consistently used to provide the utmost protection to the child in case of an accident.
Forward Facing Car Seat Age
South Carolina mandates that children between two and four years old must ride in a forward-facing child safety seat located in the back seat of the vehicle. This rule is in place because young children are more susceptible to injuries in car accidents due to their small size and developing bodies. A front-facing car seat offers an extra layer of protection to the child’s head, neck, and spine, which significantly reduces the likelihood of severe injury or fatality. It is vital for parents to comply with this front-facing car seat age requirement and ensure that the child’s car seat is correctly installed for optimal safety.
Height And Weight Requirements For Booster Seat
The booster seat age is between four and eight years old and this is to ensure that children are secure and protected while traveling in a vehicle in South Carolina, they must be fastened in a booster seat until they reach a height of 4’9” inches. This requirement aims to ensure that the seat belt fits correctly and provides optimal protection in case of an accident. Once a child surpasses eight years of age and is taller than 4’9”, they may use a regular seat belt but must still ride in the back seat until they turn 13 years old. It’s worth noting that booster seats are exclusively designed to lift children to the proper height to guarantee the seat belt fits accurately. Therefore, parents must follow the height and weight requirements for booster seats to provide their child with the best protection while traveling in a vehicle.
What Should I Do If We’re In An Accident And My Child Is Injured?
If you were in an accident and your child was injured, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Children are more susceptible to injuries in car accidents, therefore it is very important to see a medical professional to ensure that no internal or external injuries to your child.
Additionally, if you are in a car accident, it is crucial not to discard your child’s car seat or booster seat, as it may be needed as evidence if you file a personal injury claim for the damages caused by the accident. The cost of the car seat will be included in the claim to ensure that victims of car accidents can obtain compensation. If you are in a crash, keep the car seat and contact us at The Lovely Law Firm with the make and model of the seat, and we will purchase a new one to ensure your child’s safety while you are driving during the personal injury claims process.
Furthermore, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) previously recommended that any child restraint involved in a crash should be replaced, regardless of the severity of the accident. However, to reduce costs for consumers and insurance companies and to ensure that children are not left without a child restraint, NHTSA has since revised its recommendation. Nevertheless, certain car seat manufacturers still require the replacement of a car seat after any type of crash, even if it meets NHTSA’s criteria. It is essential to check the owner’s manual of the car seat or contact the manufacturer for specific instructions.
Car Seat Check Near You
To ensure the safety of your child while traveling, it is crucial to make sure that your car seat is properly installed. Shockingly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 46% of car seats and booster seats are not used correctly. The National Digital Car Seat Check Form (NDCF) database also reveals that more than half of all car seats brought in for inspection by child passenger safety technicians are improperly installed and used. The NDCF database highlights three common mistakes parents make when installing car seats including:
- Not having a tight enough installation
- Failing to use the tether when installing a forward-facing car seat
- Leaving harness straps too loose when securing a child.
By ensuring that your car seat is installed correctly, you can provide maximum protection for your child in the event of an accident. There are various places that offer car seat inspection near you. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control offers a resource that allows parents to find places that offer car seat checks near you. Here are a few in the Myrtle Beach area:
- Myrtle Beach Fire Department Station 1
1250 Mr. Joe White Avenue, Myrtle Beach 29577 - Myrtle Beach Fire Department Station 2
5338 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach 29577 - North Myrtle Beach Police Department
1015 Second Avenue South, North Myrtle Beach 29582 - Myrtle Beach Fire Station 6
970 38th Ave, Myrtle Beach 29577
We advise calling and making an appointment to set up a car seat inspection near you, or car seat installation!
Does My Child File A Separate Claim If Hurt In A Car Accident?
If your child sustains injuries in a car accident, they may be eligible for compensation for their injuries. The question of whether or not your child files a separate claim depends on several factors.
If your child is a minor, they cannot file a lawsuit on their own behalf, and you must file a claim on their behalf as their parent or legal guardian. Although the claim is separate, the parent or legal guardian will file their child’s claim on their child’s behalf. You can include your child’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages in your claim.
On the other hand, if your child is not a minor, they can file their claim separately. However, their claim may be combined with yours, especially if your claim includes damages for your child’s injuries.
It is important to note that the amount of compensation that your child may receive can be affected by their age. Generally, younger children may receive more compensation since they have a longer life expectancy and more years to live with the effects of their injuries.
If you are uncertain about whether or not your child should file a separate claim, it is best to seek advice from an experienced personal injury attorney. They can assist you in comprehending your legal alternatives and ensuring that your child gets the compensation they are entitled to.
Car Seats Are Often Recalled – Check Your Make & Model Frequently
Parents need to be aware that car seats may be recalled for reasons such as design flaws, safety issues, or defective parts. In some cases, these recalled car seats may not provide adequate protection to children in the event of a car accident. If this occurs, parents may be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer of the car seat.
To ensure their child’s safety, it is important for parents to always check for car seat recalls for the make and model of their car seat. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers a resource to check car seat recalls. Simply put the make and model into their website and it will tell parents whether or not their car seat has been recalled. By regularly checking for car seat recalls and verifying that their child’s car seat is functioning properly, parents can help safeguard their children while traveling in a vehicle.
Contact The Lovely Law Firm If Your Child Has Been In A Car Accident
If your child has been involved in a car accident, it is crucial to act quickly to protect their legal rights and ensure that they receive the compensation they deserve. At the Lovely Law Firm, we understand how stressful and overwhelming this situation can be for parents and their families. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can provide the guidance and support you need to navigate the legal process and recover damages for your child’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other losses. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and determine the best approach. Do not hesitate to reach out to the Lovely Law Firm if your child has been in a car accident. We are ready to assist you. Additionally, our legal expertise extends to cases involving daycare, ensuring comprehensive support for your family’s legal needs.
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