New Mexicans want what is best for their children. But, even though we may think we are doing everything necessary to assure a child’s safety, there are times when we are misinformed. And, according to a recent report by the Journal of Pediatrics, such oversights lead to thousands of childhood deaths in auto accidents every year.
Of the more than 18,000 children who were involved in fatal crashes in the United States between 2010 and 2014, 20 percent of the children were not restrained or improperly restrained. This includes children who died, as well as those who survived. Approximately 16 percent of children involved in these accidents were killed and of the fatalities, 43 percent were not restrained or were improperly restrained.
According to the study, as many as 95 percent of parents improperly install car seats. Seventy-five percent have the car seat facing the wrong way, and many older children are not wearing the booster seats recommended for their age group.
Each year, automobile accidents claim the lives of thousands, including residents who live in and near the Bernalillo, New Mexico. Although not all injuries or fatalities can be avoided, by taking appropriate precautionary measures, such accidents can certainly be lessened. If one is injured in an accident, or a young loved one was injured or killed, they may be entitled to compensation for the accident. Seeking the assistance of an experienced attorney can help those in such situations proceed with a solid plan of legal action, hopefully resulting in a just decision.
Source: The Huffington Post, “43 Percent Of Kids Killed in Car Crashes Aren’t Properly Restrained,” Caroline Bologna, May 31, 2017