Ohio Auto Accident News: Keeping Ohio’s Children Safe on the Highway
Nationally, over 100,000 children under the age of 12 are injured each year in vehicle crashes, and more than 1,000 more are killed each year. To keep your children as safe as possible when driving on Ohio highways and byways, utilize the proper child safety restraint.
The statistics for children injured in vehicle accidents are alarming. In fact, according to Nationwide Children’s Hospital, vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for children in the U.S., with an average of 600 children being injured in accidents, and five children dying every day. The good news is that child safety restraints cut these statistics by up to 70 percent.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths for children. Sadly, Ohio Vital Statistics reports that in 2006, 137 children died in car accidents, and only 32 percent of them were properly restrained in child safety seats at the time of the accident.
Ohio Child Safety Restraint Laws
Ohio updated and revised its child restrain laws in 2009. According to those laws, children who are under the age of four or weigh less than 40 pounds are to be restrained in passenger vehicles in child safety seats. You child can graduate to a booster seat when they reach at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height, and weigh more than 40 pounds, generally until age 8. Once your child has outgrown their booster seat, Ohio law requires they use seat belts every time they get in a vehicle until the age of 15. It is also recommended that children under the age of 13 always ride in the backseat of a car.
Booster and Car Seat Tips
The driver of a vehicle transporting children who are not properly restrained in safety seats or seat belts can expect to incur a fine of up to $75.00. More importantly though is that even if a child is in a car or booster seat, they are still at risk for serious injury or death if they are not properly harnessed. When placed in booster seats, shoulder harnesses should fit snuggly across the center of the chest and shoulder, while the lap belt should be snug across the child’s thighs and not situated across the stomach. Ill fitting seat belts put your child at risk for stomach, hip, and spinal cord injuries. Car seats should be installed tightly, with one inch or less of side to side or forward movement. Car seat harnesses should be fitted snugly against the child, with any retaining clip situations across the chest, even with the armpits.
About The Cochran Firm – Ohio
The Cochran Firm – Ohio is an experienced full service, personal injury law firm with offices in Cincinnati and Dayton and handles personal injury cases throughout all of Ohio. Founded over 40 years ago by famed attorney, Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., The Cochran Firm – Ohio, has established itself as one of the premier personal injury law firms in the United States and has been recognized for delivering successful results to their clients across a broad range of claims stemming from car / auto accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, premises liability, and product liability lawsuits. For over 40 years, The Cochran Firm – Ohio’s team of experienced lawyers continually fight for justice for all its clients. If you’ve been injured call Ohio’s experienced full service law firm “The Cochran Firm – Ohio” today at 513-381-HURT.