One of the biggest challenges experienced car accident lawyers deal with is witnessing the pain and struggles their clients face when they’ve been injured.
This is even more devastating when there are children involved. Vehicle crashes are the number one cause of death for young children.
So in an effort to further safeguard children, there are new car seat laws in Michigan that will go into effect on April 2nd of 2025.
What Are the New Car Seat Laws in Michigan?
The good news is that Michigan’s revamped car seat laws won’t require parents/guardians to purchase new car seats. If the seats they own or use meet the safety requirements, then there’s no issue with that.
The new laws do, however, address age limits.
Currently, if you have an infant or child under the age of one, they must be in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least one year old. Starting in April, the child must be at least two years old before he or she can be in a forward-facing seat. The exception is if they outgrow the height and weight limits set by the car seat manufacturer.
Meanwhile, children will be required to be in forward-facing car seats until they are at least five years old – with the same exception for those who have outgrown the height and weight limits. The current law has that age set at four years.
Finally, all children under the age of 13 must be safely buckled in the rear seat (if there is one) of a vehicle.
What’s Staying the Same?
Children under the age of eight will still be required to be in booster seats. The exception to this is children who reach a height of at least 4 feet, 9 inches before that time.
In addition, it should be noted that if no rear seat exists or if all available rear seats are occupied by children under the age of four, then an additional child under the age of 4 is permitted to ride in a car seat in the front seat. If the child is under 2 and in a rear-facing car seat in the front seat, the airbag must be turned off.
Your Child’s Life Is Worth It
Using the appropriate and recommended car/booster seat for your child’s age and size can greatly reduce the likelihood of injuries or fatalities during a car accident.
Yet, nothing is foolproof.
So if you’re already facing the unimaginable pain that comes from watching your child struggle with a car accident injury, the best thing you can do is seek a skilled car accident lawyer who can help you get the compensation you deserve.
You Want a Legal Team Who Cares
Being aware of the new car seat laws in Michigan isn’t going to help much if your child has already been injured.
In this case, you need a caring legal team whose members understand state and federal laws as they pertain to Michigan car accidents and who know how to handle insurance companies to create the best possible outcome.
The car accident team at Kajy Law is here for you. So don’t hesitate to call us at 248-702-6641 or use our contact form to set up your free car accident consultation. And take back some control of your life.