New York Child Car Seat Laws
Each state has child car seat laws designed to protect children from injuries and death in a car accident.
Car seats and child restraint systems can reduce the risk of death and injury in a car accident when properly installed and used correctly. Unfortunately, child safety seats do not prevent all injuries in an accident. If your child has been injured in a car accident in New York, you need an experienced New York City car accident lawyer to fight to protect your child’s legal rights.
The New York City personal injury lawyers of Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C. have over 40 years of experience representing accident victims in New York City, NY. Contact our office now to schedule a free consultation with a New York car accident lawyer to discuss your case.
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How Our New York Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if Your Child was Injured in a Car Accident
Being injured in a car wreck can be traumatic. When a car accident injures your child, the situation can be devastating. Our New York City personal injury attorneys understand that you have a lot to deal with after a traffic accident involving your child. Let us deal with the legal matters so you can focus on your child.
At Rosenbaum & Rosenbaum, P.C., we believe accident victims deserve fair and just compensation for their injuries and damages. We have been fighting for our clients for more than 40 years. Let us do the same for you.
We are proud members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and The National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers. And we have earned a top rating on AVVO for our dedication to our clients.
When you hire our legal team, you can expect us to:
- Analyze your personal injury case to provide an honest assessment of your legal rights
- Conduct complete and thorough accident investigations to gather evidence necessary to prove fault
- Identify the party or parties responsible for the accident
- File insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits to protect your best interests
- Aggressively fight for maximum compensation for your damages.
Call our Wall Street office to speak with a personal injury lawyer in New York City, New York. Your initial consultation is free, and you are under no obligation to hire a lawyer at the end of the meeting.
How Common Are Child Injuries from Car Accidents?
Car accident injuries are a leading cause of childhood deaths in the United States. According to car accident statistics, in 2018 more than 97,000 children 12 years old and younger were injured in car crashes.
That same year, 636 children were killed in traffic accidents.
During 2018, 943 people died in New York traffic accidents. Twenty-six (26) of those deaths were children under the age of 16.
In January 2021 alone, The New York City Police Department reported 7,437 traffic collisions. Over 3,000 people were injured, and another 13 people were killed in that one month.
Overview of New York Child Car Seat Laws
Car seat laws vary by state. Some states require that children remain in a car seat or a booster seat until they can be safely restrained by lap and shoulder belts. Other states use age or height restrictions to determine when a child can transition from a child passenger safety seat to a seat belt.
How Long Does a Child Have to Remain in a Car Seat Under New York Law?
New York state law requires that all children remain restrained in an appropriate child restraint system until they turn eight years old. As of November 1, 2019, New York also requires children under the age of two years to ride in a rear-facing car seat. Effective November 1, 2020, all vehicle passengers 16 years of age and older must wear a seat belt.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) provides additional child passenger safety guidelines for parents and caregivers.
According to the AAP guidelines, children should remain in rear-facing car seats as long as possible. When rear-facing seats are no longer feasible, they should transition into front-facing car seats for as long as possible.
Children should only transition to a booster seat once they outgrow a car seat. Many front-facing car seats can accommodate children weighing up to 40 pounds or more. Children should remain in booster seats until they outgrow them.
All child safety seats and booster seats have height and weight restrictions. Parents need to pay close attention to the manufacturer’s suggestions.
Children under the age of 13 years should not ride in the front seat of a vehicle. Choosing the appropriate vehicle seat and child safety restraint can help prevent injuries in an accident.
Parents who have questions or want to make sure their child’s safety seat is installed correctly can visit a fitting station. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee has a list of fitting stations online.
Common Types of Injuries Children Sustain in Car Accidents
Children can sustain traumatic injuries in a car crash.
Car accident injuries that a child might sustain include:
- Broken bones
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain injuries
- Paralysis
- Chest injuries
- Amputations
- Internal organ damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
Some child injuries from car crashes can cause permanent impairments and disabilities. An injury could impair a child’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
Who is Liable for a Child’s Injury in a Car Accident in NYC?
The driver who caused the accident is generally liable for damages caused by the crash. However, car manufacturers, government entities, and other parties could also have liability for a car crash. It is crucial that you work with an experienced New York personal injury lawyer to determine who is responsible for your child’s injuries.
Your child could be entitled to compensation for physical injuries, emotional trauma, permanent impairments, and financial losses. We can help you file a personal injury claim on behalf of your child.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our New York City Auto Accident Lawyer
Call our law firm to schedule a free consultation with one of our New York personal injury attorneys. The state of New York places a deadline by which you have to file your child’s personal injury suit after an accident. We are here to help when you need trusted legal advice regarding your child’s injury.
Other Car Accident Cases We Cover
- Defective airbags
- Self-driving car accidents
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Hit and run accidents
- Rollover accidents
