Injuries to Children in Motor Vehicle Accidents

Every year, thousands of American children are either injured or killed in motor vehicle accidents. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) reports that the leading causes of accidental child (aged 14 and under) injuries and death are due to motor vehicle collisions.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control and other, it was found that 1451 children between the ages of 0-15 died due to vehicle-related death in the year 2005. Among these, nearly half the children died because they were unrestrained or improperly restrained. The leading cause of children death was found to be airbag injury, while the second cause was pedestrian injury between the ages 1-2.

What are the Causes of Children Death and Injury due to Vehicular Accident?

Following were identified as the most likely causes:

Improper installation of child safety seats
Improper use of booster seats or safety seats
Placing children close to the airbag in the front passenger seat
Letting children ride in the cargo area of pickup trucks
Leaving them unattended in cars
Pedestrian Injury

How to Prevent Injuries to Children in Motor Vehicle Accidents?

Tips to prevent injuries to children in motor vehicle accidents are:

Proper Use of Safety Restraints: Since children are physically small, safety belts designed for average adults do not fit them properly. However, it may not be appropriate to place adult shoulder belts without the safety of booster seat (for those who have outgrown their safety seats).

Proper Use of Child Safety Seats: Majority of children safety seats have been found to be either improperly installed or are used when vehicles are checked. Some of the mistakes that are overlooked - safety belt do not hold the seat correctly, the harness straps in safety belts are not routed correctly, etc.

Avoid the Danger of Airbags: Airbags when properly used can save lives of adults. But the same airbag can cause fatal injury to head and neck of children when they are placed too close to them, in the front seat. Experts suggest that the safest place for young children inside the car is the rear seat, which is away from the impact of head on collisions.

Avoid Placing Children in the Cargo Area of Pickup Trucks: Because of space constraint, many adults are forced to place their kids or young children in the cargo areas of pickup trucks. However, this can increase the risk of dying ten times in children when there is collision. Covered cargo areas can also pose danger because of risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Avoid Leaving Your Children Unattended in Cars: Children, being inquisitive in nature, may like to explore the car; they can lock themselves in the car trunk. Living them unattended can be dangerous. Moreover, cold temperature or heat build up inside the car can also become dangerous to the safety of children.

AIRBAG INJURIES