The first car seats designed to protect children were introduced in the 1960s and 1970s. Now, major cities like Seattle, WA, have mandatory child safety seat laws requiring young children to use a safety seat or booster seat. Doing so can be life-saving; car crashes are a leading cause of death for children, and a proper car seat can significantly reduce this risk.
To properly restrain your child, you must first understand the city’s car seat laws. Our Seattle car accident lawyers at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer can answer your questions about these rules and protect your rights if you are hurt in a crash during a free consultation. Contact us today or call at (253) 777-0798 to schedule a meeting.
How Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help After A Car Accident in Seattle, WA
You shouldn’t have to bear the aftermath of a collision because someone else was driving negligently in Seattle, Washington. You have a legitimate expectation that other motorists will obey state and local traffic laws. If they do not and you are injured as a result, it is only fair that they pay compensation to address your medical bills and other losses.
Our experienced Seattle personal injury lawyers can help you recover financial damages by:
- Taking the time to thoroughly understand your injuries, including how they happened and how they impact you
- Gathering accident reports, medical records, wage statements, and all other documents and evidence necessary for us to prove your claim
- Filing your claim, tracking its progress, and keeping you informed of all major developments in your case
- Negotiating with insurance companies to obtain a fair settlement for you
- Seeking compensation at trial if a fair settlement isn’t possible
At Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer, we focus on you and your rights following an injury crash. We listen to your concerns, address your questions, and guide you through the necessary steps from wreck to recovery. Contact our Seattle car accident attorneys to learn more about our services and how they can benefit you today.
Appropriate Restraints for Vehicle Occupants in Washington
Seattle’s vehicle safety restraint requirements are set by Washington state law. This means the city’s residents and visitors must follow these state laws at all times or face a potential fine.
It’s important to note that all vehicle occupants, including adults, must use an appropriate restraint while riding in any car, truck, or other motor vehicle in the city. For adults, these restraints come in the form of seat belts. Using a seat belt is an effective way to prevent concussions, spinal cord trauma, and other similar injuries.
For young children, the appropriate restraint is typically a car seat.
Washington’s Car Seat Requirements for Kids
The appropriate restraint system for your child depends on their size and age:
Laws for Children Under 2
Children under two should be placed in a rear-facing child safety seat, which should be installed in the back row of seating. You should avoid putting a rear-facing child seat in the front passenger seat. If a crash happens, the passenger airbag can cause fatal injuries to young, vulnerable children, even those in a rear-facing seat.
Rules for Children Older Than 2
Once your child turns two and reaches their rear-facing seat’s weight and size limits, they may be ready for a child seat with a harness. These come in both front- and rear-facing varieties, although rear-facing seats offer slightly more protection than forward-facing ones. It is recommended you keep your child in a rear-facing seat until they outgrow it.
Requirements for Older Kids
Your child should continue using a car seat until they outgrow its size and weight limits. Then, they can transition to using a booster seat, although they should still sit in the back row of seats.
Your child is generally ready to sit in a seat without a child seat or booster if they are over 4 feet 9 inches (or 57 inches) tall and meet these requirements:
- They can sit straight in a seat
- Their knees bend at the edge of the seat
- Their feet reach the floor of the car
- The lap and shoulder belt fit properly
Generally, children will need a safety or booster seat until they are between eight and 12 years old. It is also recommended that no child under 13 ride in the front seat of a vehicle. Doing so can lead to serious injuries in a crash, especially if the airbag deploys.
Once your child can wear a seat belt without a booster seat and is 13 or older, you can also allow them to ride up front.
Contact Our Seattle Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Proper car seat and seat belt use can help protect your family in an accident. If you or your child has been injured in a crash, you may be entitled to significant monetary damages for your medical costs and other expenses.
Our award-winning legal team has recovered over $1 billion in compensation for injured clients throughout Washington. Contact our Seattle car accident lawyers at Darrell Cochran Personal Injury Lawyer to request a complimentary case review and find out what we can do to protect your rights today.