Indiana Considering Stricter Penalties For Not Properly Restraining Children

February 13, 2013

While most motorists and caregivers are aware of the need to utilize safety and booster seats when children ride in a vehicle, many are unaware of how to properly install the devices. In fact, a study conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found that eight out of 10 child safety seats are not strapped into a vehicle correctly.

According to an article from FOX 59 News, one man from Indiana is doing his part to ensure penalties for failing to install a child safety seat in a vehicle correctly become more stringent. The story explains the mans’ granddaughter, an eight-year-old from Terre Haute, Indiana, died recently as the result of injuries she sustained in a Indiana Auto Accident while riding in a safety seat that wasn’t correctly installed. The girl was five-years-old when the driver of the vehicle crashed, sending the child’s head between her knees and crushing her spinal cord. The girl was left paralyzed and died three years later as a result of complications with her injuries, while the driver of the vehicle only received a $25 fine.

That is why the man is pushing for the state to approve House Bill 1095, which would make it a felony if a child is injured or killed in an accident where they are not properly restrained.

The Terre Haute Personal Injury Lawyers with Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin support any measure aimed at better protecting children from injury in the event of an accident.