J. Cogburn Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers | April 25, 2024 | Nevada law
Car accidents are the leading cause of death for children between the ages of one and 13 years old. Car seats and booster seats are essential to protect children in vehicles from fatalities and severe injuries in crashes. Child safety restraints save thousands of children from wrongful deaths and personal injuries each year.
For that reason, Nevada has strict car seat and booster seat laws. People who violate these laws can face fines and other penalties, in addition to placing their children at a higher risk of harm. Here are some important topics to keep in mind, according to a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas.
What Are Nevada’s Car Seat and Booster Seat Laws?
Nevada laws requiring the use of car seats and booster seats apply statewide, including for Las Vegas drivers. According to Nevada Revised Statute §484B.157, a child under the age of six years who is less than 57 inches tall must be secured in a car seat. The car seat must be properly installed and appropriate for the child’s height and weight. Children under two years old must be placed in a rear-facing safety seat in the back seat.
Even though the law might not require you to use a car seat or booster seat for children over six years of age or 57 inches in height, it does not mean you should give up the car seat. Many authorities recommend using a car or booster seat well beyond six years of age.
Child Seat and Booster Seat Recommendations From the AAP
Many organizations base their recommendations for car and booster seats on information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
According to the AAP, the types of car seats suited for children in specific age groups include:
- Infants and toddlers – rear-facing-only seat, all-in-one seat, or a convertible seat
- Toddlers and preschoolers – combination seat or convertible seat
- School-aged children – belt-positioning booster seat or combination seat
- Older children – seat belts
The AAP recommends leaving children in rear-facing car seats until they outgrow the limits for height or weight. Then, children should be transitioned into a forward-facing car seat for as long as possible. Once children exceed the weight or height limits for the forward-facing car seat, they can transition into a belt-positioning booster seat.
Most booster seats allow many children to remain in the seat until they are between eight and 12 years old. However, parents must check the manufacturer’s instructions and monitor their child’s weight and height to determine when they outgrow the booster seat.
Children under the age of 13 years should sit in the rear seat with a seat belt for protection. Children should use a lap and shoulder seat belt whenever possible, but they must fit correctly to provide optimal safety during a crash.
Car seats and booster seats must be installed correctly. SafeKids has partnered with several organizations to hold safety events and help parents locate certified child passenger safety technicians to check their car seats. You can find a technician near you on their website.
What Should I Do if My Child Is Injured in a Las Vegas Car Accident?
Call 911 immediately to report the crash and ask for an ambulance. The sooner you obtain medical care for your child, the better.
Typically, we would suggest that you document the accident scene and gather evidence. However, your place is with your child. If you have a friend or family member who can take photographs, ask eyewitnesses for their information, and make a video of the scene, you can ask them to do so.
Don’t worry if you cannot leave your child to gather evidence. An experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer can collect evidence for you when they investigate the cause of the crash.
Meet with a Las Vegas car accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss a child injury claim. Your child could be entitled to compensation for their injuries and damages. However, child injury cases can be very complicated. It benefits your child to hire experienced legal counsel to handle their case.
What Damages Can My Child Receive in a Car Accident Claim in Las Vegas?
Children can suffer numerous injuries in a car crash, including injuries that result in developmental delays, cognitive disability, physical impairments, and emotional problems. Children can receive compensation for their economic and non-economic damages after a car accident.
Examples of damages in a car accident case for a child include, but are not limited to:
- Medical bills, including future costs your child may incur
- Reductions in future earning capacity
- Mental and emotional distress and trauma
- Physical pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Impairments, disabilities, scarring, and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of and quality of life
If you have questions about a personal injury claim for your child, seek legal advice from an experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney. Time is limited to file a claim, so it is best to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
Contact the Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyers from J. Cogburn Car Accidents and Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Help Today
For more information, please contact our Las Vegas Car Accident attorneys at J. Cogburn Car Accidents and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Clark County and throughout Nevada:
J. Cogburn Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers Las Vegas
2300 W Sahara Ave Suite 800-816, Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 996-4786
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