Lessons To Be Learned After Catastrophic Injuries Caused To 1-Year Old After Falling From A Car
As I write this, a 1-year old boy remains in critical condition in a Philadelphia hospital after he fell from a moving vehicle and was run over by another car. According to news sources, the unrestrained 1-year child was sitting in the rear seat when the back door somehow opened causing the infant to fall out of the moving SUV, after which point the baby was run over by another vehicle behind the SUV. While it remains unclear how the baby fell from the vehicle, what is clear, according to a spokesperson, is that the 1-year old had not been in a restraint.
As an experienced Philadelphia motor vehicle accident and faulty automobile restraint system lawyer who is also a dedicated consumer advocate for child and automotive safety, this unfortunate and tragic incident clearly exemplifies just how important it is to never take shortcuts and properly secure all infants and small children when they are riding in a motor vehicle. Pennsylvania state law requires that all children under the age of 4 ride in a federally approved car seat or booster seat whenever they are in a vehicle. Failure to comply with these laws could cause drivers to be fined, and in certain cases, sentenced to jail time. We all have an obligation to protect children. More catastrophic injuries and deaths are caused to small children by car accidents than any other cause.
As an experienced Philadelphia car accident and safety restraint lawyer, I strongly suggest that all children under 4 ride secured in a government approved infant seat and the back seat, and one must make sure that the seat is properly installed and affixed. Any child over the age of 8 and under 18 must be restrained using seat belts. As this unfortunate accident indicates, proper safety precautions should never be left to chance.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the infant and family members and we hope and pray for a speedy and healthy recovery.
