Car Seat Could Have Saved Infant’s Life in Car Accident

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is reminding drivers of the importance of car seat safety, following the death of a 6-month-old baby in Fresno. A pickup truck blew through a stop sign at an intersection notorious for accidents. The driver of a Honda Odyssey then swerved to avoid hitting the truck. Instead, the minivan collided head-on with a Nissan Altima. The force of the impact ejected the infant, 6-month-old Vanessa Torres, from the Honda.

The driver of the Honda suffered a broken leg in the accident. An adult male passenger and two other children in the minivan were uninjured. However, the CHP says one of those children was in a car seat that was not properly secured. Moreover, the infant’s car seat was not fastened to the seat properly, and the child was not buckled securely into the car seat. Officers say if the car seat had been used properly, the 6-month-old might have survived the crash.

Avoid Mistakes Installing Car Seats

Unfortunately, CHP officers say this is an error they see frequently. In 2015, 663 children ages 12 and under died in car accidents in the U.S. And a CDC study found that, in one year, more than 618,000 children in this age group rode in vehicles without the use of a child safety seat or seat belt at least some of the time. According to the CDC, proper car seat use reduces the risk of death for infants under age 1 by 71%, and by 54% for toddlers ages 1-4.

To ensure the car seat is properly secured, officers say to pull the seat belt all the way out, then make sure it locks and clicks and there is no slack. Additionally, parents must ensure that the car seat being used is appropriate for the child’s weight and height, and should keep children under the age of 2 in rear-facing car seats.

The CHP offers a free service for parents to ensure their car seat is installed correctly. Simply stop by a CHP office and a technician will check your car seat and adjust it if necessary.

“We’re heartbroken to hear about this devastating accident. Our condolences go out to the child’s family. Please remember to securely restrain your child in a safety seat every time you get in the car, as it could save their life in the event of an accident,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

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