The state of Texas is not leaving anything to chance regarding their position on car seat safety laws. Failure to wear a seat belt is a punishable offense in Texas and children are not exempted. Adults will be held culpable for any defaulting minor in their car. Children between the ages of four to eight are entitled to booster seats in a car. This will push them up to the required height needed to properly make use of the adult seat belt that came with the car. The Texas Department of Transportation believes that strict compliance with the booster seat laws and other seat belt laws will reduce the odds of fatality during a road accident.
The Texas Transport Code
It is important you know exactly what the law states in Texas. According to section 545 – 412 of the Texas transportation code, travelers are mandated to strictly adhere to all seat belt and booster seat laws. The manufacturer’s guidelines must be followed. This includes instructions regarding the age, height, and weight of the child and the appropriate safety measures recommended. Children that are less than eight years old or weighing less than 30 pounds are not allowed to use passenger seat belts when they ride in a car.
Solution: Booster seats
Install a booster seat for children within the ages of 4-8 or children that are not up to 4’9″ in height. The booster seat enables the child to use both the shoulder and lap seat belts. This must be done based on the manufacturer’s guidelines. The shoulder belt must sit in properly, crossing the center of the child’s chest. This ensures the child’s safety.
Penalty for defaulters
Law enforcement in Texas is coming down heavily on traffic law offenders. This can be linked to the fact that about 35% of victims who died in an accident in the United States were not using safety belts. Therefore, the Texas Transportation code has stated that the fine for defaulting on the booster seat law is $25 to $250 and any other charges that might be decided by the court. Of course, the parents of the child or the adult ridding together with the defaulting child will bear the responsibility of fulfilling the obligations of the penalty.
Aside from the fines or the punishments, parents must keep their children safe by religiously adhering to the recommendations of this law.
CONTACT HERRMAN & HERRMAN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INJURED IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF ACCIDENTS:
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
- Car accidents – Our lawyers have extensive experience handling car accident cases. We will work to identify the party or parties at fault for the crash and build a case to demonstrate persuasively how the parties caused the accident and your injuries. We will seek fair and full compensation through a negotiated settlement or at trial if necessary.
- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
- Motorcycle accidents – Motorcycle riders often suffer grievous injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Too many motorcycle accidents in Corpus Christi are caused by careless drivers who don’t look for motorcycle riders or violate their right of way. Our personal injury lawyers will work to cut through the bias and stigma against motorcycle riders. Our goal is to seek the financial compensation that you’ll need to recover from a serious motorcycle accident and injuries such as bone fractures, road rash, or traumatic brain injury.
- Product liability – Product manufacturers have a legal obligation to make products that are safe for their intended uses and to warn consumers of any risks that may come with the product. When products have design or manufacturing defects or undisclosed dangers, the product manufacturer may be legally responsible for injuries suffered by consumers. Our attorneys can help you evaluate whether you have a valid product liability claim.
- Brain injury – Brain injuries can leave accident victims with disabilities that leave them unable to work or perform many tasks of daily living. Seeking compensation for a brain injury in an accident often proves incredibly complex. The brain injury survivor may seek compensation for anticipated future medical care and the medical care already provided. Our personal injury lawyers can help you through the difficult recovery process following a brain injury and will fight to make sure you have the resources you need.
- Spinal injury – Spinal cord injuries could cost millions of dollars of care over the course of the victim’s lifetime, especially when those injuries result in partial or complete paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. If you or your loved one has suffered a spinal cord injury, you deserve compassionate legal representation. Our attorney can help you determine whether you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury and expenses related to living with the disability, such as making a home more accessible.
- Wrongful death – If you have lost a loved one due to the negligent or reckless actions of another party, your family deserves to seek accountability and compensation from those at fault for the wrongful death. Our caring and dedicated attorneys can help guide you and your family through this difficult and painful time and seek justice for your loved one.
