Booster Seats Reduce Child Injuries by 45% during Crashes

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety issued an alert to all people who drive cars occupied by small children.  The Institute claims that booster seats do save lives, but many of the seats on the market are not doing a good job at protecting children.  This conclusion was drawn after crash tests results were analyzed.

The crash tests were designed for children too big for car safety seat, but not too big for booster seats.  During the tests, unrestrained dummies catapulted through dashboards and windshields when cars were traveling 35 MPH.  If the dummies were real, their injuries would be life-threatening.  In 2008, it was reported that 700 children under the age of 12 were killed during auto accidents and 38% of them were not properly restrained.

Safety experts assert that seat belts are not enough for children under the age of 8 and that booster seats are critical for keeping children secure.

Anne McCartt of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said, "Safety belts are designed for adults, not children. And the danger with adult seatbelts is that if the belt is riding over the abdomen or the tummy of the child, that's the soft part of the body that's vulnerable to injury."

Another thing the Institute reported is that many booster seats to not consistently fit well in all vehicles.  Of the 72 seats that were tested, the Institute only listed 21 as "best buys".  8 of the booster seats that were tested were listed as "not recommended".

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also reports that booster seats can reduce child injuries by 45% in the event of an accident.

Has your child suffered injuries due to defective products or an accident?  Contact us to learn more about your rights by consulting with a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.