Holidays are a time for cheer, and for families. If you are visiting yours this year and have a small child, the following information can help you learn how to protect them from auto accident injuries while traveling this holiday season. You shall also discover what sort of compensation you may be entitled to, should a crash and injury occur.
Safe Driving Habits Are Critical During the Holiday Season
Nearly every driver has had a close call – a moment when they thought they might crash but managed to avoid the accident. With traffic at its peak, accidents are far more difficult to avoid during the holiday season. As such, drivers are encouraged to use (and even brush up on) safe driving practices. Examples include:
- Leaving enough distance between you and the vehicle in front of you;
- Always wearing a seatbelt;
- Limiting distractions while driving;
- Not driving while intoxicated;
- Obeying all traffic signals;
- Checking and planning for inclement weather; and
- Adjusting speed and following distance while driving in inclement weather.
Parents of children are also encouraged to ensure their children are properly buckled in the appropriate safety seat; this is especially critical during the holiday season when crashes are more likely to occur.
Children and Vehicle Safety
While adults can (and often do) experience injuries in a traffic crash, the risk is far higher for children. Much of this is due to their smaller frames, but their lack of awareness or understanding in a crash also plays a part. Children are also far more likely than adults to experience life-long debilitating injuries in a crash, and their injuries may not fully manifest right away. For example, a child who experiences a head injury in a crash may not display any immediate delays after an accident, but as they age and need to use more of their brain, the effects of the trauma may become more evident. Thankfully, parents can reduce their child’s risk of a severe injury. Ways of doing this include:
- Using the right type of safety seat (based on the child’s height and weight);
- Removing coats and blankets before buckling the child into their safety seat; and
- Ensuring the child is correctly buckled into the safety seat at all times.
Pursuing Compensation After an Auto Accident
Even the most skilled driver can experience an auto accident. If one happens to you and your child is injured, contact Herrling Clark Law Firm, Ltd. for assistance. Dedicated and experienced, our Appleton child injury lawyers will aggressively pursue the most favorable outcome possible. Schedule your free and personalized consultation by calling 920-739-7366 today.
Source:
http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/news/traveling-with-children-for-the-holidays-make-sure-all-children/article_c0a75256-e129-11e7-a58d-f7d0eb1c3401.html