Defective Car Seats in Georgia Auto Accidents

Everyday folks in Atlanta and throughout the State of Georgia load their children in the car, buckle them up in a child restraint system (car seat) or seat belt, and head out to conduct their daily affairs. Most parents do not realize how much danger lurks for our children when we take such trips.

Unfortunately, 250,000 children a year are injured in auto accidents and over 2,000 suffer fatalities according to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA). Car accidents are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 2-14. Many of us assume that our children are safe because we faithfully use a child restraint system. Our sense of security is misplaced as one study shows that as many as 80% of child safety restraints are used incorrectly because of the lack of compatibility between child restraint systems and automobile seat belts.

At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, we know that a car accident resulting in catastrophic injuries or the death of one's child is about as difficult and tragic a situation as a parent can face. Our compassionate team of attorneys and staff have helped people throughout Georgia overcome such tragedies for over 39 years. Many children are hurt each year because of defective child safety restraint systems. Many child safety restraint systems are designed for seat belt configurations that no longer exist in most automobiles. Most child restraint systems were designed for bench seats where the seat belt anchor is located in the space between the bench and back part of the seat. In most newer automobiles, the anchor is located on a stalk in a completely different position. Few car seat manufacturers have redesigned their car seats for this new seat belt configuration nor have they provided adequate warnings to consumers.

We know that the first priority is keeping your children safe in the event of an accident. Studies have shown that children are 40% less likely to suffer injury in the back seat and 30% less likely to be fatally injured in the back seat. Research has also shown that the safest spot for a child to ride is in the middle of the back seat where there is 43% lower chance of a child being injured than in the rear outboard seat. Sadly, many parents do not currently adhere to these safety guidelines. Approximately, 30% of 10 year olds and 55% of 13 year olds routinely ride in the front seat of vehicles. Simply positioning your children in a safer position in your automobile can prevent many catastrophic injuries or fatalities in the event you are involved in a serious auto accident.

There are seven major companies that manufacture the majority of child restraint systems. They are: Graco, Century, Cosco (Dorel), Evenflo, Fisher-Price, Kolcraft and Britax. These companies have recalled a combined total of more than 11 million safety restraint systems over approximately a decade. There are a number of common defects that seem to recur and lead to many of the auto accident-related safety restraint system injuries including:

• Faulty Chest Clips: These clips secure the shoulder straps in the car seat but are sometimes made with cheap material and fail during an auto accident.

• Inadequate Cushioning and Padding: A car seat may cause serious injuries if there is not sufficient padding to cushion impact during an auto accident.

• Detachable Safety Restraint Systems: The base sometimes detaches from the carrier during an auto accident resulting in serious injuries.

• Faulty Car Seat Buckles: Sometimes these are manufactured or assembled in such a way that they detach during an accident or can be easily unbuckled by a small child.

When it comes to the safety of your children, we would rather talk about prevention than what to do in the event of an auto accident resulting in serious injuries or the death of your child. Sometimes tragedy strikes despite a parent's best efforts. We hope that you and your family stay safe, but if your child is injured in an auto or other type of accident, our Georgia auto accident attorneys will work closely with you to help you obtain the compensation, treatment and rehabilitative therapy your child needs. We have been helping families in the face of such tragedies throughout the entire State of Georgia for over 39 years, including, but not limited to, Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Savannah, Valdosta, and all Georgia Counties- including: Dekalb, Gwinnet, Cobb, Fulton, Douglas, Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall Bartow, Henry, Clayton and Fayette Counties. For your Free Consultation, contact us at 1-800-LAW-NEED, or visit us on the web at www.montlick.com. We will travel to see you, no matter where you are in Georgia.