On November 14, 2011, a Chevrolet Avalanche was travelling west on an Albany, Georgia boulevard, carrying a woman and her three children. The Avalanche left the road and hit the curb, rolling over three times. The three children, one aged five, and twins aged three, were thrown from the vehicle. Two of the children had minor injuries; however, the third child had to be airlifted to the Macon Medical Center. Miraculously, none of the children were killed, but their injuries bring the issue of proper child protective restraints to the forefront.
Car accidents remain the leading causes of death for children. To combat this, Georgia law, like the law in all other states, requires children to be restrained while being transported in a motor vehicle. For children over age eight or over 40 pounds, seat belts are required. Children under age eight must be restrained in an age and weight appropriate child safety seat, preferably installed on the rear seat of a vehicle.
Seat belts and other child restraints are important safety tools because they ensure that the child's small body remains inside the vehicle. They also help minimize injuries by absorbing crash forces during an accident, protecting against serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. Using child restraints has proven effective. From 1975 to 2008, the federal government estimates that the lives of nearly 9,000 children were saved due to child restraints.
For decades, federal and state seat belt and safety seat initiatives have made a difference in saving young lives and reducing injuries. While the Albany accident had a miraculous ending, motorists should never rely on luck with regard to their child's roadway safety. If, despite taking proper precautions, your child has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, consult an experienced car accident lawyer. Doing so is an important first step in protecting your child's rights.
