Why are Fewer Children Being Injured in Car Accidents in Maryland?March 20, 2020
Kids in Safety Seats (KISS) is a state-wide program to reduce the number of children seriously injured in car accidents in Maryland. With funding from the Maryland Highway Safety Office, KISS helps parents and caregivers understand how to choose the correct seat based on the height and weight of the child. It instructs how to install the car seat properly. The program has been effective at reducing serious car accident injuries and fatalities involving children.
In 2017, five children under the age of 16 were killed in car accidents, compared to 12 children in 2016. For car seats to be effective, parents must use the correct type of seat and install it properly. Approximately 84 percent of the car seats inspected in Maryland in 2017 were used improperly. In some cases, the children were riding in the wrong type of seat. Other times, the seat was not installed correctly. Children also rode in car seats that were damaged or recalled.
KISS Accident Data for Various Age Ranges
KISS collected data from the Maryland Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System (CODES) from 2017, which examined accident data for three different age ranges.
- Birth to four years old: Of the 1,256 children injured in car accidents, 880 were riding in a car seat or booster, 211 were restrained with a seat belt, 45 were restrained with some other type of restraint, 59 were restrained by an “unknown” restraint, 61 were not restrained at all, and two were killed. All children in this age group should be in a car seat with a harness or a booster, depending on age, weight, and height.
- Five to nine years old: Of the 1,237 children injured in car accidents, 358 were injured while restrained in a car seat or booster seat, 641 were likely restrained with a seat belt, 63 were restrained with some other type of restraint, and 70 were restrained by an “unknown” type of restraint. Children in this age group may be in a car seat, a booster seat, or may use a seat belt. Booster seats are most common for children in this age group.
- Ten to 15 years old: Of the 1,365 children injured, 29 were injured while riding in a child restraint; 999 were injured while restrained but not in a car seat or booster seat, 131 were in another type of restraint, 93 were using an “unknown” type of restraint, and three were killed. Most children in this age group use seat belts.
Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Seek Justice for Children Injured in Car Accidents
If your child was injured in a car accident, do not hesitate to contact the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton. We will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident and determine who is responsible for your child’s injuries. Our dedicated and compassionate team will secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Prince George’s County, allowing us to represent victims in Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.