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    Car accidents involving children are heartbreaking and preventable. With growing awareness about back-over accidents and the importance of children’s safety in vehicles, families, lawmakers, and organizations are pushing for necessary changes to protect children on the road. From backup cameras on new vehicles to innovative technology in child safety seats, here’s what you need to know about improving safety for children in and around cars.

    Car safety is vital for every family, an accident in South Carolina can have devastating consequences. That’s why Joye Law Firm is dedicated to helping families affected by car accidents involving children in Columbia, Charleston, Summerville, Clinton, and Myrtle Beach and across the state. If your child has been hurt in a vehicle due to someone else’s negligence, contact our experienced personal injury attorneys for a free consultation.

    Children’s Deaths in Traffic Accidents

    Shockingly, car accidents are a leading cause of death for children in the US.  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 1,129 children ages 14 and younger died in traffic crashes in 2022. Tragically, many of the fatalities were largely preventable.

    Research has proven that lap/shoulder seat belts can decrease the chances of fatal injuries to front-seat passengers ages 5 and older in cars by 45 percent. In addition, seat belts reduce the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50 percent. Occupants of light trucks are 60 percent less likely to die and 65 percent less likely to suffer critical injuries in an accident if they are wearing seat belts.

    Child safety seats are also known to reduce fatalities. Infants younger than 1 year have a 71 percent better chance of surviving a motor vehicle accident when secured in a car seat. Toddlers between the ages of 1 and 4 have a 54 percent better chance of getting through a collision if they are in car seats.

    The NHTSA found the use of restraints saved the lives of 263 children under age 5. If all children under age 5 had been in safety seats, 51 more lives may have been saved. The lesson here is that both child safety seats and seat belts make a huge difference when it comes to keeping children safe.

    Sadly, even when parents take every preventable measure to keep their children safe, devastating accidents can still occur. Joye Law Firm is committed to fighting for justice for children harmed by negligent drivers. Contact us today to see how our legal team can assist you with a free case evaluation.

    Families Push for Back-Up Cameras on New Vehicles

    Since 1990, 36 children in South Carolina and North Carolina have died because they were backed over by motor vehicles. Even today, back-over accidents kill more than 200 people and seriously injure more than 17,000 each year in the US, according to a report by CNN. Children under the age of five represent 44 percent of those deaths. For the most part, these fatalities occur in driveways.

    In 2008, Congress responded to the dangers of back-over accidents by creating a law that required new cars to have rear-mounted video cameras. However, delays from the Department of Transportation slowed implementation.

    Thankfully, as of May 2018, federal regulation mandates that all new vehicles sold in the US must have backup cameras and a video display that can relay the feed of the video.

    Children seen in a rear view backup camera drawing with chalk.

    Car Safety for Children and Tips to Protect Your Child

    While cars are essential for transporting our children during day-to-day life, they also pose significant dangers. When an accident involving a car and a child occurs, the results are often tragic. Devastated parents are left wondering how it happened and what could have been done to prevent it. If you have a child or are responsible for caring for a child in South Carolina, then you know that prioritizing car safety is a must. Here are some  tips to keep in mind:

    1. Discourage Children from Playing Around Parked Vehicles

    One of the most tragic types of accidents, yet an accident that happens every year in the United States, is when a driver backs up over a child they did not see.

    One way to prevent this type of accident from happening is to discourage children from playing in driveways, or around parked vehicles.

    If you are the driver of a car, it is your responsibility to check if there is anything – or anyone – behind, under, or around your vehicle before entering it, turning it on, or moving it. If there are kids in your family or your neighborhood, always check around your car before driving.

    2. Use Appropriate Child Safety Seats

    Another tip for protecting children in and around cars is to be sure that your child uses a child safety seat that is appropriate for their age, height, and weight, and that has received a high safety rating. Refer to Consumer Reports’ page on car seats to learn more about how to choose the right car seat for your child, and how to ensure that your child is properly restrained within a car seat. You can also use the site to compare different car seats’ safety ratings.

    If your child is past car seat age, be sure that they buckle up every time they are in the car. Many children complain about wearing their seatbelt, sometimes saying that it is uncomfortable. No matter how much your child fights you on it, the use of a seatbelt is a must. Try to find ways to incentivize seatbelt use if your child is having a hard time accepting the requirement.

    2. Never Leave a Child Unattended in a Vehicle

    Every year, there are stories about children who die in vehicles as a result of being left unattended – sometimes, it only takes a matter of minutes for a child’s body to overheat to the point of death. No matter the outdoor temperature, you should never leave a child in a vehicle unattended, even if you think that it will only be for a moment. Leaving a child in a vehicle unattended is extremely risky and could lead to tragic consequences. Since 1998, over 960 children have died due to vehicular heatstroke.

    Talk To Your Child About Safety Around Streets and Vehicles

    As soon as your child is able to walk on their own, it is time to have a conversation about safety around cars. It only takes a moment for a young child to run into the street. Teach your child to never enter the street without holding the hand of an adult, to walk – rather than run – when crossing the street to reduce the risk of a fall, to play in areas that are a safe distance away from cars, and to look and listen for cars before entering a street. Remember that riding a bike safely around cars and streets is also an important conversation to have. If your child is old enough to ride a bike, make sure they always wear a helmet and understand how to stay safe on the road.

    Need Legal Help?

    Car safety should always be a priority, especially when it comes to young children. We hope that you never need our services and that your child has a healthy life free from any serious injuries.

    However, if you do find yourself in a nightmare situation where your child is injured, our skilled attorneys are here to support your family throughout the process. We know how terrible an accident involving a child is and will do everything possible to ensure your family gets the compassionate representation you need and the compensation you deserve.

    Our firm has secured over half a billion dollars in compensation for injured South Carolinians. With our No Fee Guarantee, you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case, ensuring you can focus on your recovery while we fight for the justice you deserve.

    Contact our South Carolina personal injury attorneys at Joye Law Firm for your free case evaluation at (888) 324-3100 or use our online form. We’re here for you 24/7.

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    Case Manager Cierra Grier and Partner Mark Joye discuss a car accident case in the North Charleston office on Rivers Avenue