According to many studies, car crashes are among the leading causes of death for US children, even though these fatalities are largely preventable. According to the NHTSA, something as simple as placing children in age-appropriate and size-appropriate car safety or restraint systems reduces the risk of fatalities and injuries by more than half.

According to the NHTSA, 1,451 children under 14 years of age died automobile crashes, and another 203,000 were injured in 2005 alone. On average that is about 4 deaths and 556 injuries daily. Almost half of the fatalities involving children in car accidents involved children who were unrestrained in the car.

Car accidents involving injuries to minors and children are an especial concern during the summer, when Florida parents are transporting children to camps, child care, summer programs, friends homes and so forth. Children simply spend more time in cars during the summer, on average, and that means a bigger chance for children to be injured in Florida car accidents.

According to the NHTSA, there are several things that parents can do to avoid childhood fatalities, burn injuries, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries that can occur to child passengers in motor vehicle accidents. The NHTSA recommends that all passengers ages 12 years old and younger be placed in the back seat and properly restrained every time they ride in a car. Even on short trips, proper restraints such as rear-facing seats, forward-facing seats, and booster seats can save lives in the event of an accident.

The NHTSA also recommends that parents read car seat instruction manuals and vehicle owner’s manuals when properly installing and using restraints and seats for children. According to one study, up to 72% of child restraint systems are used incorrectly at least part of the time, dramatically increasing the chances of injury in the event of an accident.

Parents should contact the manufacturer of child restraints and seats periodically and contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regularly to find out about any product recalls. Defective child restraints and child seats can cause serious injury and harm. If your child has been injured by a defective restraint or seat system, contact a good Florida attorney in order to get help and in order to prevent other families from suffering through similar tragedy.