The right car seat can save your child’s life in an accident.
National Child Passenger Safety Week: Are Your Kids Properly Protected?
Car seats are one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect children during a car ride. But using the wrong type of seat—or installing it incorrectly—can make the difference between safety and serious injury in a crash.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2023, 43% of children under 14 who died in passenger vehicle crashes were not restrained at all. National Child Passenger Safety Week is a reminder for every Texas parent and caregiver to double-check their child’s car seat.
This blog covers why car seats matter, the basics of Texas law, and the steps parents should take to protect their kids.
Why Car Seats Matter
According to NHTSA, car seats have saved the lives of more than 11,000 children since 1975. When installed and used correctly, they can reduce the risk of fatal injury by as much as 70% compared to seat belts alone.
Unfortunately, studies show that most parents make mistakes with car seat installation. A loose harness, incorrect recline angle, or a seat that isn’t secured tightly to the vehicle can all reduce effectiveness. That’s why safety checks and education are just as important as owning the right equipment.
Texas Car Seat and Booster Seat Law
Texas law is clear when it comes to child restraints. Children under the age of 8 must ride in a car seat or booster seat unless they are taller than 4’9”. Beyond that point, they can legally use a seat belt—but experts recommend keeping them in a booster until the belt fits properly.
Here’s a breakdown by age group:
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Infants and Toddlers (under 2 years old): Must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they outgrow the height or weight limits set by the manufacturer.
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Children ages 2–4: Should be in a forward-facing seat with a harness once they’ve outgrown their rear-facing seat.
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Children ages 4–7: Move to a booster seat once they exceed the size limits of a forward-facing harness seat.
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Children ages 8 and up (or 4’9” tall): May use a seat belt, but only if it fits snugly across the chest and hips—not the neck or stomach.
Failure to comply with these requirements can result in fines, but more importantly, it puts children at unnecessary risk.
Tips to Ensure Proper Car Seat Use
Even with the right seat, mistakes can happen. Here are some practical tips parents in Texas can use to improve safety:
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Get a professional inspection. Certified technicians at TxDOT or NHTSA stations can check your seat for free and ensure it’s installed correctly.
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Follow manufacturer guidelines. Pay close attention to weight and height limits. A child who outgrows a seat is no longer properly protected.
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Avoid secondhand seats. Expired or damaged car seats may not provide the protection they should.
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Keep kids in the back seat. Children under 13 should always ride in the back, away from airbags.
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Check for recalls. Make sure your car seat hasn’t been recalled for safety issues.
Every September, National Seat Check Saturday offers parents a chance to get one-on-one help from experts, ensuring children are buckled in as safely as possible.
What Parents Should Do If Their Child Is Injured in a Car Accident
Even with all precautions, accidents can still happen. If your child is hurt in a car crash, here are the steps to take right away:
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Seek immediate medical care. Not all injuries are visible. Internal trauma or concussions may take hours to appear.
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Gather documents. Take photos of the crash scene, save medical records, and get a copy of the police report.
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Review your car seat. If it was involved in a crash, it may no longer be safe to use—even if it looks undamaged.
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Consult a personal injury attorney. A lawyer can help determine whether another driver’s negligence—or even a defective seat—played a role in your child’s injuries.
Car Seat Injury? Call Shaw.
A car seat should protect your child—not add to the danger. If your child has been injured in a crash caused by another driver’s negligence anywhere in Texas, you could be entitled to compensation for:
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Ambulance Costs
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ER Treatment
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Surgeries
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Medical Bills
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Pain and Suffering
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Property Damage
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Missed Work
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Wrongful Death
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And More
We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.
Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 or use the live chat to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our personal injury attorneys. No fees. No obligations. Just expert legal advice when you need it most.
Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in San Antonio and across Texas for over 32 years because we put our clients first.
We look forward to serving you.