Side impact crashes or T-Bone crashes are the second most common types of vehicle collisions in the United States. Injuries to young children occur when the car seat restraint system fails. Types of failure can include seat separation, buckle disengagement, and LATCH failure.
On Jan.22, 2014, the NHSTA proposed the first-ever side impact test for child restraint systems. The proposed test will use two test dummies, one representing a 12 month old child and one representing a three year old child. No testing will be done for children weighing over 40 pounds.
Unfortunately, no tests are being mandated for children ages 4-8, who typically weigh more than forty pounds and are often placed in booster seats. When questioned about the NHTSA’s reluctance to require testing for seats designed for older children, the NHTSA responded that those children would be protected by side curtain airbags. This is an irresponsible statement. Many vehicles are not equipped with side curtain airbags and not all children ages 4-8 are tall enough for the side curtain airbag to make any difference for the child in the event of the crash.
To read the full press release from the NHTSA, click here
http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/NHTSA+Proposes+First-Ever+Side+Impact+Test+for+Child+Restraint+Systems.
If your child has been injured in a car accident in Roanoke, Bedford, Smith Mountain Lake, Abingdon, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, or Lynchburg, VA, or in West Virginia, call experienced personal injury lawyer, Paul Thomson today for a free consultation (540) 777-4900.
