Barbara Sadler: Car Seats Can Be Dangerous

For mothers and fathers in Utah, a child’s safety is the number one priority on the road. And as an auto accident lawyer knows, protection against the dangers of driving is an even greater concern when children are at a younger age and are subject to additional seating requirements. As stated by U.S. News, “According to federal safety guidelines, babies must ride in a semi-reclined, rear-facing position in order to keep their heads upright and airways open.”

However, a new study conducted by The Ohio State University College of Medicine has found that car structures don’t align with car seats about 42 percent of the time.

This is troubling news for parents, because in the event of an auto accident, if seats aren’t fitted properly, children could be at greater risk for injury. A lawyer in Sandy Utah or another location would advise parents to make sure seats fit properly before making such an important purchase.

Researchers in the study took measurements of 61 different vehicles and tested a total of 59 different car seats in over 3,600 combinations, according to U.S. News. “It might look great on the shelf and have all these great safety ratings, but if it doesn’t fit in your vehicle then it may not be the best option for you,” said Julie Bing, research engineer on the project with Ohio State.

Often, in order for a car seat to fit properly, parents must shove pool noodles behind gapping spaces and figure out other tricks to ensure a child’s safety.

An auto accident lawyer in Salt Lake City would recommend parents take the proper precautions before buying and installing a car seat to certify safety. According to U.S. News, some hospitals host programs to help parents “fit seats before they take newborns home,” and most stores will let customers test merchandise out before making a purchase.

BE A SAFE AND CONFIDENT MOTORCYCLIST

The statistics are clear: Motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident than people in auto accidents. Those can be intimidating odds. The good news is that those odds can be turned in motorcyclists’ favor through safety, knowledge and confidence. Whether you’re a retiree who has been riding for 50 years or a lawyer from Salt Lake City buying your first bike, there’s always more you can do to be a safe and confident motorcyclist.

Motorcycles are getting faster and more powerful every year. One simple way to help avoid a motorcycle accident is to find the right bike for you. That lawyer from Salt Lake City may be tempted to buy the biggest hog on the lot, but all prospective motorcyclists should be cautious not to buy more bike than they can handle.

Take a seat on your bike. You should be able to easily rest both of your feet flat on the ground without having to stand on your tiptoes. Make sure you can comfortably reach your handlebars and all controls. Find a bike with antilock brakes. Having antilock brakes reduces the likelihood of being in a motorcycle accident by 37 percent. Be careful not to buy a bike that is too heavy. If it feels like it might be too heavy, then it probably is.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers riding courses that teach basic and advanced riding techniques as well as emergency maneuvers. The courses are offered at thousands of locations from Salt Lake City to the East Coast, so chances are you’ll find one near you. Besides helping you feel more confident, some states offer insurance discounts and accelerated licensing as incentives to take a safety course. Completing a course is also a source of protection should you need to hire a lawyer after a motorcycle accident.

Riding without a helmet makes you 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury, so wear a helmet. Also wear gloves, pants, jackets, over the ankle footwear, bright colors and eye protection.

Injury Lawyer Free Consultation

When you need legal help with a motorcycle injury or a car accident injury in Utah, please call Ascent Law LLC for your free consultation (801) 676-5506. We want to help you.