A new study conducted recently with data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identified that 20% of children who were involved in a car accident where someone passed away were not buckled in properly or were wearing no seatbelt at all, as were 43% of the children who died themselves. Child fatality rates in vehicle crashes vary significantly from one state to another, but far too many accidents kill children who were improperly restrained.

Seatbelt usage is one of the most important indicators of whether or not someone will survive a car crash and seatbelt enforcement laws can have a positive impact on seatbelt usage as indicated by the Centers for Disease Control. Unfortunately, traffic fatalities across the United States are increasing and this was part of the prompt for studying what different factors influence child death in fatal vehicle accidents. More than 18,000 children under the age of 15 were involved in fatal car accidents between 2010 and 2015. The study was recently published in the Journal of Pediatrics. Being improperly restrained could increase your child’s chances of critical injuries that could impact their development.

Make sure that you always evaluate whether or not your child has outgrown an existing carseat. This is one of the best ways to minimize serious injuries. An improperly fitting carseat or one that has not been installed correctly may be unnecessarily exposing your child to risk.

If your child has recently been injured in an accident as a result of a defective car seat or another person’s recklessness or negligent behavior, you need to consult with a San Diego car accident attorney as soon as possible to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for the injuries. Children are at a greater risk of developmental problems and serious issues associated with traumatic brain injuries.

At the scene of any accident, make efforts to remain calm and get medical personnel to the scene as soon as possible.