Texas Child Car Seat Laws

Has your child been injured in a car accident in Austin, Texas? McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers can help families navigate what comes next after a serious crash. Call (512) 474-0222 to schedule a free consultation with an Austin car accident lawyer who can explain your legal options and help protect your child’s rights.

Texas child car seat laws are meant to reduce the risk of serious harm, but even when a child is properly secured, injuries can still occur. When this happens, families may be entitled to compensation for medical care and other losses, and legal guidance can make the process less overwhelming.

How McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers Help You Recover Compensation for Your Child After a Car Accident 

Your child may sustain severe injuries in a car accident. Families in Austin, TX, turn to McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers when they need steady guidance after a child is injured in an accident because our firm brings proven experience and dedication to every case we handle.

Here’s why you should choose us when your family needs help: 

• Our team has over 40 years of combined experience handling personal injury and car accident cases.
• We have recovered over $500 million for our injured clients in trial verdicts and settlements.
• We are known for our strong record as trial lawyers and effective negotiators in high-stakes injury claims.
• Clients pay nothing up front, as we handle cases on a contingency fee basis.
• Our background includes insurance defense work, giving us insight into how insurers evaluate and fight claims.
• We have earned top ratings and professional recognition from organizations such as Super Lawyers and Expertise.com.

We have the experience and resources to fight for your family. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an Austin personal injury attorney. 

Car Seat Requirements by Age and Size

Texas law requires children under 8 years old or 4 feet 9 inches tall to be secured in an appropriate child safety seat system while riding in a motor vehicle. Under Texas law, parents and drivers are responsible for ensuring children are properly restrained according to the child’s age and size.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides the following guidelines:

• Rear-facing car seats: For infants and toddlers until they reach the maximum height or weight limit allowed by the seat manufacturer, typically around age 2 to 3
• Forward-facing car seats with harness: For children who outgrow a rear-facing seat by exceeding the seat’s weight or height limit, usually from age 2 to 7 
• Booster seats: For children who outgrow forward-facing seats by exceeding the seat’s weight or height limit, but are not yet tall enough for seat belts, typically ages 4 to 12
• Seat belts: For children who are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall and can sit with their back against the vehicle seat with knees bent over the edge, typically over 8 years old

Ideally, children should use car seats until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of the car seat. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, rear-facing seats provide the best protection for a child’s head, neck, and spine in a crash because they distribute crash forces across the entire back of the child’s body.

Common Car Seat Installation Mistakes

Car seats provide protection when they are used correctly. Common mistakes include:

• Loose installation: The car seat should not move more than one inch side to side or front to back when tested at the belt path
• Incorrect harness position: Harness straps should rest just at or below a child’s shoulders for rear-facing seats and at or above a child’s shoulders for forward-facing seats
• Loose harness straps: You should not be able to pinch any slack in the harness at the child’s shoulder
• Wrong recline angle: Rear-facing seats must be reclined at the proper angle to keep the baby’s airway open
• Using both LATCH and seat belt: You should use either the LATCH system or the seat belt to secure a car seat, not both together

Many fire stations, hospitals, and police departments offer free car seat inspections. A certified Child Passenger Safety Technician can check your installation and show you how to make corrections. This service takes only a few minutes and could save your child’s life in a crash.

What To Do if Your Child Is Injured in a Car Accident

Your child’s safety and health are the primary concerns after a car accident. It is also important to take steps to protect their legal rights. After a car accident, steps to take include:

• Call 911 to report the crash and get help for your child
• Collect evidence by taking photographs and making a video with your cell phone
• Ask bystanders and witnesses for their contact information
• Do not accept fault for the accident or admit blame without speaking to an attorney
• Seek immediate medical attention for your child
• Do not agree to provide a written or recorded statement for an insurance company without legal advice 

Talk with a personal injury attorney as soon as you can. Involving an attorney in your case early helps avoid mistakes that could hurt your case. It also means you have a legal team with resources and experience to give your child the best chance of recovering a fair settlement for their injury claim. 

Seeking Help if Your Child Is Injured in a Car Accident in Austin, TX

If your child has been injured in a car accident in or around Austin, Texas, McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers can help you understand your legal options and take steps to pursue compensation for your child’s injuries. 

Reach out today to schedule a free consultation and speak with an Austin car accident lawyer about protecting your child’s rights.