{"id":353048,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:36","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/injury\/car-accidents\/car-accidents-leading-cause-of-childhood-deaths.html"},"modified":"2023-10-18T10:51:16","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T15:51:16","slug":"car-accidents-leading-cause-of-childhood-deaths","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/injury\/car-accidents\/car-accidents-leading-cause-of-childhood-deaths.html","title":{"rendered":"Car Accidents: A Leading Cause of Childhood Deaths"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Car Accidents: A Leading Cause of Childhood Deaths<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Ty McDuffey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Imagine a classroom filled with children. Now imagine that some of them won’t return each year because of car accidents. It’s a heart-wrenching image. But sadly, auto accidents have become one of the leading causes of death for young children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has highlighted motor vehicle crashes as a major public health concern<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

The leading cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. is firearms-related injuries<\/a>. This surpassed car accidents in 2020.<\/p>\r\n

Car accidents are the second leading cause of death for children and teens, followed by cancer and other diseases. But car accidents are still the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children and teens. These accounted for about 20% of all unintentional injury deaths in 2019.<\/p>\r\n

Why Are These Accidents Happening?<\/h2>\r\n

Car accidents<\/a> and other motor vehicle crashes involving children have a similar pattern.<\/p>\r\n

Reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)<\/a> and the CDC<\/a> show that many child deaths in passenger vehicle accidents occur because adults haven’t correctly restrained children.<\/p>\r\n

Whether it’s a car crash in a busy intersection or collisions in a neighborhood, not wearing a seatbelt can be fatal.<\/p>\r\n

No parent or guardian ever wants to imagine the severity of a child’s injuries from an accident. But, data from several reporting systems consistently show that children who aren’t wearing seatbelts sustain more severe injuries in car crashes than those restrained. Such injuries can lead to long-term physical impairments, traumatic emotional experiences, and, worst cases, fatality.<\/p>\r\n

And it isn’t just the drivers at risk. All passenger vehicle occupants, whether seated in the front or back, are vulnerable in a crash.<\/p>\r\n

A shoulder belt ensures that the occupant remains in their seat. It minimizes the impact by spreading the force across the chest and shoulders. Without this restraint, the force of the accident can throw passengers against other objects inside the vehicle. It can also eject them. This amplifies the risk of injuries or death.<\/p>\r\n

The Importance of Proper Restraint<\/h2>\r\n

Safety restraints like car seats, booster seats, and seat belts are necessary for children.<\/p>\r\n

Depending on a child’s age and size:<\/p>\r\n

    \r\n
  1. Infants need rear-facing child safety seats in the back seat<\/li>\r\n
  2. Toddlers can switch to forward-facing seats once they outgrow the rear-facing ones<\/li>\r\n
  3. Children aged 4 to 7 typically need a booster seat until they are mature enough for a seat belt<\/li>\r\n
  4. Older children should always wear a safety belt and sit in the rear seat until they are 13 years of age.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)<\/a> emphasizes that the back seat is the safest place for children. The front seat’s airbag can be dangerous for young children and cause serious injury.<\/p>\r\n

    What Can Caregivers Do?<\/h2>\r\n

    As a caregiver, there are several ways you can practice injury prevention.<\/p>\r\n

    Know the Law<\/h3>\r\n

    Child restraint laws<\/a> differ from state to state. They are established based on extensive research to ensure children’s safety during car travels. These laws are in place because different age groups, weights, and heights require specific types of car seats or boosters to offer protection during a collision.<\/p>\r\n