New York Child Safety Seat Usage

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Differentiated as an American Institute of Trial Lawyers Litigator of the Year, and His Battle-Tested Team of Attorneys at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. Fight to Deliver the Best Possible Outcome to Children Injured in Car Accidents in Buffalo, New York; Niagara Falls, New York; Rochester, New York; Throughout New York State and Beyond.

Car accidents are the leading cause of death among children throughout the United States. In 2018 alone, children 12 years old and younger suffered more than 97,000 injuries and 636 fatalities in automobile accidents. The use of proper child car and booster safety seats by parents can, in some cases, mean the difference between life and death. Of the 636 children who died, for which restraint use was known, approximately one-third were not using the required restraint systems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) discovered that, in just one year, over 618,000 children ages 0-12 were passengers in vehicles without using child safety seats or booster seats. Worse still, almost half of all child restraint systems are being used incorrectly.

While some parents may worry about crying babies and toddlers not wanting to sit in safety seats, doctors say it is much more important to keep children safe. Babies generally have disproportionately large heads. Consequently, infants involved in accidents face a substantial risk of suffering severe head, neck, and spinal cord injuries. Getting into any kind of car collision can be an overwhelming ordeal, especially when a child is injured. The long-lasting repercussions of accidents on child victims and their loved ones can be disheartening. Children are much more likely to undergo life-long disabilities, permanent disfigurement, total paralysis, and even death.

Jed Dietrich, Esq., and his team of battle-tested car accident lawyers are here to guide parents of injured children through the personal injury process from start to finish. For over two decades, Jed Dietrich, Esq. has solely litigated serious personal injury cases, including countless car crashes. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s seasoned team has the know-how and skills needed to ensure that negligent and reckless parties are held liable. Our main objective is to obtain the highest possible compensation so that our clients and their families can get back on their feet. Insurance companies and negligent drivers have been forced to pay over $175,000,000.00 in judgments and settlements to compensate Jed Dietrich, Esq.’s clients, for their injuries. Please, contact our team today at 716-839-3939 to find out more about how we can help you! We are available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week, and there is never a fee unless we WIN for you!

Under New York State law, all children under 8 years old riding in motor vehicles must be restrained in proper child safety seats. The child must fit into the seat according to the manufacturer’s height and weight specifications. All seats should be certified under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) standards. Important safety guidelines regarding specific restraints and age groups include:

1. Rear-Facing Seats: As the name suggests, rear-facing seats are designed to face backward in the back seat of a vehicle. All children under the age of 2 are required to be placed in rear-facing car seats. If your child outgrows the seat’s height or weight limits, an all-in-one or convertible car seat can be placed in the rear-facing position.
2. Forward-Facing Seats: All children are required to ride in child safety seats until their 4th birthday. The forward-facing seats must be properly secured to the vehicle using a latch system. Children should be kept in forward-facing car seats with proper harnesses until they reach the maximum height or weight permitted by the car seat manufacturer.
3. Booster Seats: When your child’s height or weight exceeds the limits of a forward-facing car seat, a booster seat should be used. Children should be kept in booster seats until both shoulder and lap belts fit them suitably. All children are required to use booster seats until the age of 8. Although not required, children are recommended to remain in booster seats until they are at least 100 pounds or 4’9” and can fit properly into an adult seat belt.
4. Seat Belts: Typically, between 8 and 12 years old, the lap and shoulder belts should fit your child properly. The shoulder belt needs to rest across the center of the chest and shoulder, and the lap belt is supposed to be low and tight across the upper thighs. Effective in November 2020, all passengers must be restrained using seat belts.
5. Backseats: At all times, children under 13 years old should ride in backseats.

Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions and use safety seats accordingly. If you are unsure, New York State also has fitting stations that assist with the proper installation and positioning of car seats and other restraints.

Trying to determine what safety seat is appropriate for your child is not always as easy as it sounds. There are 4 main types of child safety seats including:

1. Infant Seats: Infant car seats are designed specifically for newborns and other small babies. These seats are usually big enough to accommodate children 9-12 months old. Infant seats are placed in the back seat and have the infant face towards the rear of the vehicle.
2. Convertible Seats: Convertibles are intended for more long-term use and can be used for both infants and toddlers. These seats can be used in both rear-facing and front-facing configurations. Convertible seats are generally employed up until a child weighs 40 pounds.
3. Booster Seats: Boosters are designed for older children that no longer fit into car seats but are too small to be adequately restrained by a normal seat belt. Boosters elevate a child in an optimal position so that the belt will properly secure over the child’s body. Always make sure to use booster seats with seat belts that have both lap and shoulder straps.
4. All-In-One Seats: Commonly referred to as a three-in-one, these safety seats can be used as rear-facing seats, forward-facing seats, and then converted into booster seats.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s compassionate team also recommends checking out the NHTSA’s Car Seat Finder. The Car Seat Finder allows users to compare various seats and their user-friendliness to find the most suitable seats for their children. Just fill out your child’s height, weight, and age, and the tool will provide a list of car seats that fit your child’s needs.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s team of seasoned car accident injury lawyers strongly encourages parents to always place their children in proper safety seats or restraint systems before driving anywhere. In case of a tragic accident, our American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Personal Injury Law Firm will assertively negotiate to obtain the best result for your child. Time and time again, our former clients have said that Jed Dietrich, Esq. is the best personal injury attorney in Western New York. View our clients’ testimonials and Google 5 Star rating by clicking here. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s best of the best attorneys are available 24 hours per day and 7 days per week. Contact Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his elite team today at 716-839-3939 or by completing the online consultation form. Please do not hesitate to call our veteran lawyers to schedule your complimentary case evaluation and consultation!

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at 716-839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!