Charlotte, NC Personal Injury Lawyer
A news report today highlighted the story of a South Carolina man who was killed in Tennessee after he crashed his car along Interstate 40. The report indicated that the man’s two young children (ages 5 and 4) were also injured in the crash. The five-year-old – a girl – is in critical condition. Law enforcement investigating the crash reported that there were child restraint devices in the car, but neither the children nor the driver were using any sort of restraint device at all. Had the children been placed in proper child restraint seats, crash investigators said, the injuries to the girl could have been much less severe.
Child Car Accident Statistics
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during 2011 approximately 650 children under the age of 12 died and nearly 150,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes. During one single year, the CDC estimates that over 600,000 children 12 years of age and younger rode in a motor vehicle without using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seatbelt at least part of the time.
But child safety restraints can reduce the incidence of serious or fatal injuries in children. The CDC found that child safety seats reduced the risk of death of infants by 71% and of toddlers by 54%. Children ages 4 years through 8 years showed a 45% less chance of suffering serious injuries in a crash when they were placed in a booster seat as opposed to only a seatbelt.
Car Seats and Recovery for Child Injuries
Just like an adult, a child who is injured in a car crash in North Carolina or South Carolina can bring a lawsuit against the negligent party for compensation for his or her injuries. The only difference is that, because the child is under the age of 18, someone other adult – usually either parent, a legal guardian, etc. – must bring and present the case on the child’s behalf. But because of contributory and comparative negligence rules in North Carolina and South Carolina respectively, failing to properly restrain your child may affect the amount you can recover. Recall that in South Carolina (which applies a comparative negligence standard), an injured person’s recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault attributable to the injured party. In North Carolina (which applies a contributory negligence standard), if the injured person is found to be at fault at all, then the injured person cannot recover any damages.
Contact Bice Law, LLC for Help
When you or a loved one has been injured because of the carelessness of another, contact Bice Law, LLC for assistance. We are skilled at reviewing the facts and circumstances of motor vehicle crashes and will work to get you and your loved ones the compensation you and they deserve. If you are concerned that you might be at fault (such as by failing to properly buckle children into appropriate restraint devices or failing to wear a seatbelt yourself), then contact us today at 877-BICE-877 for a free
The personal injury firm of Bice Law will examine your case to determine the type and amount of damages that your injury warrants, including payments for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and any permanent disability. We’ll determine whether an out-of-court settlement or trial is the best strategy to obtain maximum benefits for you or your family. If you have suffered injury or harm because of someone else’s actions, take the first step to protect your legal rights – contact the personal injury firm of Bice Law serving both North and South Carolina. You only have a limited time after your injury to file a claim, so act quickly. Call 877-BICE-877 today or submit an online request to get a free consultation with a personal injury attorney. We serve families across both North Carolina and South Carolina.
