California Car Accidents And Car Seats

A report In the Press Enterprise about the death of a 3 year old Hemet child while riding in a booster car seat during a car accident has prompted authorities to issue new warnings concerning the proper use of booster car seats.

The child, Dakota Graves and her father, Donald Graves, of Hemet, were involved in a head on collision with Andrew Huizar of Apple Valley on March 9 of this year. It was a devastating crash that was so severe it could not be determined whether any car seat could have saved the child's life.

Nevertheless, based on the child’s height, weight, and age, the booster car seat may not have been the best choice according to CHP Officer Scott Beauchene. Based on statistics gathered by the California Highway Patrol, the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14 is car accidents.

CHP Holds Free Car Seat Clinics

Because of the importance of having the right booster car seat installed in your car, the California Highway Patrol holds free weekly car seat clinics at several CHP Offices, by appointment only, to inspect and install car seats for families. During the car seat clinics, an officer will inspect your car and the car seat, to make sure it's installed properly and it's also the right fit for the child.

Officers will review the installation with the parents just in case they have to repeat the process and install a car seat on their own. "A lot of parents are intimidated by car seats when they pull them out of the box," Beauchene said. "It's important to have car seats checked to make sure children are in the right car seat," Beauchene said.

"The wrong car seat will do them more harm than good." According to the car accident report by the CHP, Donald Graves was returning home to Hemet from a visit to his mother's home in Riverside. His daughter was belted into a backless style booster car seat in the backseat of the Chevy Malibu he was driving.

Car Accidents Cause Remains Unknown

For reasons unknown, the CHP reported that the Malibu drifted into the oncoming lane of Florida Avenue near Warren Avenue and slammed head on into the Honda Accord driven by Huizar. Both of the adults died at the scene while Dakota died shortly after the car accident at Hemet Valley Medical Center.

Authorities determined that the booster seat was too large for the small child. Beauchene said children need car seats because seat belts are designed for adults not children. Children are not suited for seat belts until they reach a height of 4 feet nine inches tall, and weigh between 80 and 100 pounds, said Beauchene.

Contact California Car Accidents Lawyer

Booster car seats typically have expiration dates and should be replaced every 5 to 7 years. To set up an appointment for a car seat clinic, click here, car seat clinic. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, please contact a qualified California car accidents lawyer today. Contact us at The Law Offices of Nadrich & Cohen, we can help you.