Have you been injured? you may have a case. Your Child Car Seat Inspection and Safety Check Resource

There are no car crash cases more tragic and heartbreaking for us as auto accident lawyers than the ones that involve infants and children. Children are the “most precious cargo” in our car, which is why every parent should know the proper ways to use a child car seat — and where to go for a child car seat inspection and safety check by a certified technician. By doing so, you’re taking a crucial step to ensure your children’s safety.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that an estimated 46% of car and booster seats are misused in a way that could reduce their effectiveness. So, to help protect children in car accidents and to prevent injuries due to improperly installed car seats, we encourage all parents to get a car seat inspection and safety check done by a child passenger safety technician.

According to the Centers for Diseases Control (CDC):

• “Car seat use reduces the risk for injury in a crash by 71–82% for children, when compared with seat belt use alone.”
• “Booster seat use reduces the risk for serious injury by 45% for children ages 4–8, when compared with seat belt use alone.”
• “Seat belt use reduces the risk for death and serious injury by about half for older children and adults.”

Here are answers to some common questions about child car seat inspections and safety. They’ll help you keep your little ones safe and secure while traveling:

Who can check car seat installation? These sites provide a list of car seat inspection sites within your area:

• The NHTSA Car Seat Inspection Search

The Michigan child car seat laws provide:

• Children under 2 years of age must be secured in a rear-facing car seat. (MCL 257.710d(2)(a)(ii))

• Children under 5 years of age must be secured in a forward-facing car seat. (MCL 257.710d(2)(b)(ii))

• Children under 8 years of age must be secured in a booster seat. (MCL 257.710d(2)(c)(ii))

• Children under 13 years of age must (1) wear a seat belt and (2) sit in the rear seat of the vehicle. (MCL 257.710d(4))

• Children who are 13 years of age but less than 16 years of age may sit in the front seat or the rear seat of the vehicle, but wherever they sit, they must wear a seat belt. (MCL 257.710d(4) and (5); 257.710e(3) and (5))

• Children who are 16 years of age or older may sit in the front seat or the rear seat of the vehicle, but they are only required to wear a seat belt if they are seated in the front seat. (MCL 257.710e(3))

When using a child car seat, Krystal Kleidon, a paramedic who runs the Australia-based women’s blog Project Hot Mess, says parents should always be sure they are strapping their children in properly by determining:

• How tight am I making the straps on my child’s seat?
• Can my child pull his arms out of them?
• Can I only fit one or two fingers underneath the straps?

We highly advise you not to purchase a used child car seat. You may be risking your child’s life when you use a previously owned child car seat or booster seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends:

• Do not use a used car seat if you do not know the history of the seat.
• Do not use a car seat that has been in a crash, has been recalled, is too old (check the expiration date or use 6 years from manufacture date if there is no expiration date), has any cracks in its frame or is missing parts.
• Make sure it has labels from the manufacturer and instructions. Keep the instructions with the car safety seat. You will need this information to see whether the car seat has been recalled.
• Call the car seat manufacturer if you have questions about the safety of your seat.

Among the best resources for child car seat inpection and safety:

• Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning – “Child Passenger Safety“
• Safe Kids Worldwide – Car Seat Safety Tips
• NHTSA – “Car Seats and Booster Seats“
• American Academy of Pediatrics – “Car Seat Safety Checkup: 10 Questions to Consider“

Learn more about how to protect yourself and loved ones in our Car Accident Resource Center