The North Carolina Laws on Child Car Seats and Safety Belts

WFMY News reported on August 31, 2013 that a car crossed the center line and crashed into a SUV. The accident happened in Mecklenburg County in North Carolina. The father, who was driving the SUV, was killed. His wife and child were hospitalized. The child, a baby, was ejected from the car. While there’s no certainty to believe that a car seat would have saved the baby from serious harm, car seats are absolutely advised for babies.

North Carolina requires that children under 16 be buckled up in the front and in the back seats of a car. Children under 5 and under 40 pounds must be secured in a CRD – a Child Restraint Device. The CRD must meet Federal manufacturing standards and must be designed to match the age and weight of the child. There are additional rules depending on whether the car has air bags and whether the seat faces forwards or backwards. The driver is responsible and will be ticketed if there isn’t proper compliance.

There are exceptions for ambulances and for certain cars such as cars manufactured before 1968. There is an exception for where there are more children than seats but car pooling and other alternatives are recommended.

How our firm can help

Anyone who has been in a car accident, in Virginia or North Carolina, or who knows someone who was killed in a car accident because of the negligence of another needs to have legal help. Contact Norfolk Injury Lawyer Joe Miller or call us toll free at 888-694-1671 for more information on how to proceed, how to work with your doctors, and whether you might have a significant recovery coming your way.