Children are more vulnerable in car accidents because most vehicle safety features are designed for adults. Car seats help reduce the risk of serious injuries, and Texas child car seat laws aim to keep young passengers safe.
If your child was injured in a Dallas, Texas, car accident, Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers may be able to help you pursue compensation.
Contact us online or call (214) 556-8321 to talk to our Dallas car accident lawyers today for a free consultation and learn how we can support your family.
How Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Child Car Accident Injury in Dallas, TX
Child injuries are devastating for parents. When your child has been hurt, you are willing to do anything in your power to help them recover from that harm. At Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers, we understand that mindset and can fight for your child as relentlessly as possible.
At Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers, we can offer clients these key services:
- 24/7 access to our legal team
- A personalized case strategy that is designed to seek the most compensation possible
- Free case evaluation
- Representation by a firm that has obtained several multi-million dollar awards and settlements
Let us leverage our decades of experience securing fair settlements and fighting for victims in court on your behalf. Contact a Dallas car accident attorney at our law firm today to learn more about how we can help your child recover from their injuries.
What You Need to Know About Texas Child Car Seat Laws
Texas child car seat laws aim to protect children from birth until they are big enough to safely use an adult seat belt.
Here are the key requirements:
- Birth to Age 2: Children must ride in a rear-facing car seat until at least age two or until they outgrow the seat’s height or weight limits.
- Age 2 and Up: Once a child outgrows their rear-facing seat, they should transition to a forward-facing seat with a harness that fits their size.
- Ages 4 to 8: Children should use a booster seat until they are tall enough to fit a seat belt properly—usually around 4 feet 9 inches tall.
Texas also offers free car seat inspections to help ensure your child’s seat is compliant with safety guidelines.
Common Car Seat Mistakes to Avoid
Proper car seat usage is critical, but many parents unknowingly make mistakes that reduce safety.
Here are common errors to avoid:
- Using the wrong seat for your child’s age or size
- Failing to properly secure the harness or seat
- Installing the seat incorrectly
- Transitioning to the next seat stage too soon
- Placing a rear-facing seat in front of an active airbag
Regularly reviewing guidelines and having your installation inspected can help prevent these mistakes and keep your child safer in the event of a crash.
Defective Child Car Seats
Car seats are designed to protect children in a crash, but only if they function as intended. A defective child car seat can fail during an accident, causing your child to suffer preventable and possibly life-threatening injuries.
Common Car Seat Defects
Defects in child car seats can arise during design, manufacturing, or due to poor quality control. Common issues include:
- Faulty or easily unbuckled harnesses
- Weak or brittle plastic frames
- Improperly attached padding
- Inadequate side-impact protection
- Materials that are flammable or degrade quickly
These flaws may prevent the car seat from withstanding crash forces or properly restraining your child.
Legal Options for Defective Car Seat Injuries
If your child’s injuries were worsened or caused by a defective car seat, you may be able to file a product liability claim. To succeed, you’ll need to show:
- The car seat had a defect (design, manufacturing, or warning-related)
- The defect directly caused your child’s injury
- You were using the seat as intended and were unaware of the defect
These claims often require expert analysis and detailed evidence, but can provide compensation for medical bills, long-term care, and pain and suffering.
Pursuing Compensation From Multiple Parties
In many cases, more than one party may be liable. If another driver caused the crash, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against them in addition to pursuing a product liability case against the car seat manufacturer. Holding all responsible parties accountable maximizes your chance of full financial recovery.
Contact Our Dallas Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Your child is the most precious thing in your life. When they suffer a serious injury in a car accident, you need a lawyer who will fight tirelessly for their well-being.
Our child injury attorneys at Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers understand your situation, and we have the knowledge and resources to secure the best possible outcome for your family. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.