McGuire Law Firm / Child Car Seat Laws

Oklahoma City Child Car Seat Laws

Protecting your child from physical harm is one of the most important roles as a parent.

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of death for children in the United States.

Thousands of children are injured each year in car crashes.

Our Oklahoma car accident lawyers understand how devastating it is for a child to be injured in a car accident.

At McGuire Law Firm, we use our vast legal knowledge and skills gained over 60 years of combined experience to fight for the rights of children and their parents after a car accident. Contact our law firm now to schedule a free consultation, give us a call at (405) 513-5658 to speak with one of our Oklahoma personal injury lawyers.

How Our Oklahoma Car Accident Lawyers Can Help if You or Your Child Is Injured in a Car Accident

Your child may be entitled to compensation for the injuries and damages caused by a car accident. Money will not undo the pain and suffering your child experienced because of the car crash.

However, a financial award can provide the financial support your child might need to continue to deal with the consequences of car accident injuries.

At McGuire Law Firm, our Oklahoma personal injury attorneys have recovered multi-million dollar awards for many of our clients.

We work diligently for each of our clients to maximize the amount of money they can receive for their injury claim.

When you hire our legal team, you can expect us to:

Analyze your case and provide an honest assessment of your legal options
Investigate the cause of your injury to identify the parties liable for your damages
File insurance claims and handle all interactions with the insurance company
Fight for the maximum amount of compensation for your claim
Monitor all deadlines for filing lawsuits
Keep you informed and updated about the progress of your case

Our car accident lawyers provide compassionate support and guidance as you and your family heal after an accident. With over 60 years of experience behind us, we understand what it takes to get you the money you deserve.

Reach out to us to schedule a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer.

How Common Are Oklahoma Car Accidents?

The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO) reported 73,267 traffic crashes in 2019 for a total of 640 deaths and 33,038 injuries. Fifteen of those deaths were children.

What Are The Child Car Seat Laws in Oklahoma?

Studies have shown that the use of child car seats reduces the risk of death and injury substantially. The Oklahoma car seat law has mandatory child passenger restraint requirements. Parents can face penalties for violating the Oklahoma law for car seats, including fines and court costs. Oklahoma’s child passenger safety laws require that all children under the age of four years ride in a car seat.

Children between the ages of four and nine years must ride in a booster seat. Children who are eight years or older or have reached at least 4 feet 9 inches in height can use a seat belt.

What Type of Car Seat Do I Need for My Child?

The type of car seat or booster seat that your child needs depends on the child’s age, weight, and height. In some cases, a child’s developmental needs may also affect the type of car seat required to protect the child during an accident.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and most other authorities recommend the following to keep children safe when they ride in a car:

Rear-Facing Seats - A rear-facing car seat should be used until the child outgrows the safety seat based on the seat’s height and weight restrictions
Front Facing Seats – Front-facing seats should be used for toddlers and preschoolers until they outgrow the car seat’s height and weight recommendations
Booster Seats – Booster seats are used until the child reaches a height of four feet nine inches
Seat Belts – Seat belts are used when a child is tall enough and old enough for the seat belt to fit them correctly, so they are properly secured

All children younger than 13 years of age should ride in a rear seat of a vehicle. The child restraint system used must comply with Oklahoma’s car seat law and all federal standards for car seat safety.

Riding in the front seat is not recommended, except when a vehicle does not have a rear seat. Parents should check the vehicle’s manual and other information to learn how to minimize injuries when sitting in the front seat.

Common Types of Injuries Children Sustain in Car Accidents

Children can sustain the same types of injuries as adults. However, because a child is still developing, the long-term impact of car accident injuries may not be known for several years.

For example, a child who sustains a traumatic brain injury could experience developmental or cognitive delays or impairments. A broken bone could impact a child’s growth and development. Spinal cord injuries, neck injuries, and back injuries could result in permanent impairments.

It is crucial that parents seek immediate medical treatment for their child. Documenting injuries is a crucial step in recovering maximum compensation for a child’s injuries and damages.

Who is Liable for a Child’s Injuries Caused by a Car Accident?

In most motor vehicle accidents, the driver who caused the collision is liable for the child’s injuries and damages. However, there could be cases in which a defective car seat could cause injuries. In those cases, the car seat manufacturer could also be liable.

Protecting your child’s legal rights begins with hiring an Oklahoma child injury lawyer. Our attorneys aggressively investigate and pursue claims involving injuries to children. We can help you recover compensation for your child’s injuries by holding the negligent party responsible in court.

We Handle All Car Crash Claims in Oklahoma

Our legal team has over 60 years of collective experience handling all types of auto accident claims in Oklahoma, including:

Schedule a Free Consultation With An Oklahoma City Car Crash Lawyer

If your child was injured in a car accident, contact our office to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Oklahoma personal injury attorney. Learn about your child’s legal rights and how we can help you protect those rights.