According to Wisconsin car accident attorney Jason Abraham, there is not a single “best” car seat. All car seats sold in the United States must meet the same government standards for crash and fire safety. However, to meet these standards, the seat must be installed properly and used correctly.
There are three basic types of car seats:
- Infant-only car seats
- Convertible car seats
- Booster seats
Infant car seats are rear-facing. They have a weight limit of between 22 and 35 pounds. A baby who has reached the height or weight limit for his infant seat should be moved to a rear-facing convertible car seat.
Convertible car seats can be used in both the rear-facing seats and forward-facing position. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children be placed in a rear-facing car seat until the age of 2, but it is safest to leave your child facing the rear until he reaches the rear-facing limit for the seat.
Only children who are at least four years old and weigh at least 40 pounds should use booster seats. These seats position the car seat’s seat belt so the child can use it safely.
Our Wisconsin car accident attorneys suggest that parents check NHTSA’s ease of use ratings to learn which seats are easiest for parents to install. Parents should also get their car seat installation checked at their local fire or police station.
For more information about child safety and Wisconsin's car seat laws visit our online library. To discuss a car accident with a Wisconsin accident injury lawyer, contact Hupy and Abraham at 800-800-5678. The initial consultation is free.