Do rearward car seats do better in crash tests?
When it comes to the safety of their children, many American parents may seem overprotective or too concerned about safety, there are certain things that parents can’t be too careful with — like car safety.
When it comes to keeping children safe in cars, the first line of defense is the car seat. However, there are so many brands, styles and options of car seats that it can be difficult for parents to determine the best choice for their kids. Parents, however, can now rest easy knowing that rear-facing car seats are the safest choice for young children who have yet to reach the age of three.
The Ohio State University Injury Biomechanics Research Center has released the results of a study that investigated the effectiveness of rear-facing car seats in rear-impact auto collisions. Existing research already proved that these seats were best in crashes that happened from the front and crashes that happened from the side. Now, researchers have shown that the seats are best in crashes from behind as well.
That said, researchers stressed the fact that parents still need to pay close attention to ensure that they install the seats snugly and appropriately and that their seats fit the weigh, height and age of their children. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, a negligent or unlawful driver or car seat manufacturer could be financially liable.
If your young child was injured or killed in an auto collision in spite of you doing everything possible to keep him or her safe, you might want to investigate what legal options are available to your family with the help of a Sacramento car accident lawyer.
Source: UPI, “Rear-facing car seats protect tots in crashes from behind: Study,” April 03, 2018