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According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 700 child passengers were killed in traffic crashes across the nation, and approximately 63,000 suffered injuries. Unfortunately, more than 30% of those ages 0-3 who were killed in a car crash were not buckled up in a car seat. The CDC also reports that almost half the time, parents and caregivers transporting infants and young children either misuse car seats and booster seats or graduate the child too soon by having them stop using a booster seat.
Even the safest drivers can wind up in accidents caused by other negligent motorists. Proper use of restraint systems saves children’s lives. It’s important to keep our children safe when riding in a vehicle. Let’s take a deeper dive into Washington, DC’s car seat law, what is the right type of seat for your children, and what you should do if you get in a car accident in the DC area.
Under DC law (DC Code Section 50-1703), a child under 8 must ride in a properly installed car seat or booster seat that fits them. Children ages 8 to 16 who have outgrown a booster seat must wear a seat belt.
A booster seat must always be used with both a lap belt and a shoulder belt. The Metropolitan Police Department also recommends, though does not require, that children ride in the back seat until age 13.
The penalty for violating DC’s child restraint law is a fine of at least $75 and two points on the driver’s license.
The safest seat changes as your child grows. Here is the general progression under DC guidance:
Use until at least age 2 and 40 pounds, or until your child reaches the seat’s maximum height or weight. Rear-facing seats protect a young child’s head, neck, and spine in a car crash.
Once your child outgrows the rear-facing seat, switch to a forward-facing seat with a five-point harness. Keep them harnessed until they outgrow the seat’s height or weight limit, often around 65 pounds.
Use until your child is at least 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall. Age matters more than weight here. A 40-pound 3-year-old still belongs in a forward-facing harness because a seat belt will not sit correctly on a child that young sitting in a booster seat. You can remove the back of a high-back booster once your child is over 50 pounds and the vehicle seat has a headrest.
Your child is ready for a seat belt alone when the lap belt sits low across the upper thighs, not the stomach, and the shoulder belt crosses the chest, not the neck. This usually happens between ages 8 and 12.
DC law includes a narrow exemption for taxis, but rideshare trips in an Uber or Lyft are not exempt. The child passenger safety law still applies, and as the rider, you are responsible for providing an appropriate car seat or booster for your child.
Parents and caregivers transporting young children should also be familiar with other actions beyond those covered by car seat laws to keep children safe while riding. The following tips provide critical information that could mean the difference between the life or death of your child passenger if you are involved in a car accident.
As mentioned above, misuse of child and booster seats reduces their effectiveness. You can ensure your child is as safe as possible if you install car and booster seats according to the manufacturer’s instruction manual. You can also find a child passenger safety technician to help you install a seat. Several D.C. Metro police officers are technicians. You can also find a technician at the D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
You should also periodically check the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) website. It provides a list of manufacturer recalls for various products, including car seats and booster seats. If the product is faulty or the company provided incorrect installation instructions, you want to get a new device or adjust your installation as soon as possible.
Airbags are incredible safety devices that save thousands of lives each year. However, their deployment is strong. The force of an airbag can be fatal for young children, so avoid letting children ride in the front seat, even if they are in a rear-facing car seat. The force of an airbag on a car seat can cause injuries or potentially kill an infant in the seat.
According to the CDC, the safest spot in a vehicle is in the middle of the back seat. If you are only transporting one child, you should place them in the middle, whether in a car seat or booster seat. If you have multiple children, you must use your entire back seat.
Sometimes, people are in a hurry or run to the post office, grocery store, or run a quick errand. Some mistakenly assume, “I’m only going a little way, so I don’t have to buckle my child up.” Even if you only travel two blocks, you must buckle children in their car seats, booster seats, or seat belts. Not only is it by car seat laws, but you also protect your child passengers from the worst. Research shows that most traffic accidents occur within 10 miles of someone’s home.
As they age, children will buckle themselves into car seats, boosters, and seat belts. Seeing the adults they love buckle up normalizes this behavior. By using your seatbelt, you demonstrate safe behavior to the children riding with you. This can also prevent any struggles about buckling up later on. When adults model safe behavior, children know it’s expected.
Car accidents are traumatic events that sometimes lead to permanent or fatal injuries that devastate families. Young children are even more at risk for injuries because of their small frames. However, even accidents at low speeds can cause a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) or other permanent injuries in children that come with lifelong struggles.
An experienced DC car accident lawyer can help you through the claims process and build a strong case against the other side. When children suffer injuries, insurance claims and lawsuits are about much more than seeking compensation. Those who suffer serious injuries sometimes need lifelong care and treatment. Compensation from a settlement or jury award can provide the funding a family needs to provide care for a loved one who suffered severe car accident injuries.
Contact the skilled car accident lawyers at Regan Zambri Long if you or your child has been injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence. The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we win your case.
Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.