Brain Injury Attorney Blog

As a parent you want to keep your baby safe. By using the right car seat the right way on every ride, you can help keep your baby safe on the way. For the past 6 years, Target stores have been unknowingly selling defective child booster seats. The booster seat, made by Circo, has a defective restraint buckle that can open unexpectedly that allows the child to fall from the chair.

If a child becomes unrestrained by their car seat, injuries are likely to occur, especially if you cannot pull your vehicle over fast enough to address the problem. Also, imagine if you thought your child was secure in his car seat, but he isn't. Car seats, just like seat belts, save lives. When you strap your child in their seat, you expect them to be safe in case you are involved in a minor car accident.

Although a parent trusts the booster seat that their child sits in while at the dinner table or anywhere else, they must put even more trust into the safety seat their child sits in while in a moving vehicle. Child seat manufacturers now provide expiration dates for their seats. These expiration dates are a way for the manufacturer to provide guidance as to the expected useful life of the seat. Every car seat has an expiration date. Generally, the expiration date is six years from the manufacture date. Many have the expiration date stamped on the seat. You may also contact the manufacturer of your specific seat to find out what its expiration date is. As another safety precaution, you should never buy a used car seat if you do not know its full history. Second, never use a car seat that has been in a crash. Additionally, parents should avoid seats sold at flea markets or yard sales or online. Do not use any products that did not come from the manufacturer in or with the car seat because car seat fabrics meet strict fire safety codes. Even toys that are made to hang from car seats for the child to play with can cause an injury if involved in a car crash.

Even new child safety seats have the possibility of not working correctly. Recalls can occur due to harness straps, which keep the child in the seat, or defective latches that keep the safety seat attached to the vehicle itself. Both of these types of defects result in the child being at an increased risk of injury or death in the event of a car crash. If your child was injured by a defective child booster seat, you may benefit from a consultation with a personal injury attorney in your area.

Being mindful of the instructions that come with your new car seat will help you identify problems or defects. If you notice your car seat is not working properly, it is best to return it for a new car seat or contact the manufacturer. If you do not notice a defective part on your car seat and your child is injured or killed as a result, you will need to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you with your claim. Call one of the Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyers for a free consultation.

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