8 Ways to Prevent Stroller and Car Carrier Accidents

Aug 24,2016

A study published in Academic Pediatrics reveals that two children ages 5 and under are treated in emergency rooms for stroller and car carrier injuries every hour. Over the course of the 21-year study, nearly 361,000 toddlers were hospitalized due to falls or tip-overs from strollers and car carriers. By far the most common injuries were head injuries, followed by face injuries.

Most of the injuries were minor, but some ended up being quite serious. Nearly a quarter of children hurt in stroller accidents in the study suffered a traumatic brain injury. Concussions are considered mild brain injuries, but they can have long-term effects on children’s cognitive development. The percentage of brain injuries and concussions from car carriers went from 17% in 1990 to 53% in 2010. Researchers are unsure why the increase was so steep, but suggest it could be due to a heightened awareness of concussions.

Roughly 89% of children injured in carrier accidents were younger than a year old. Nearly 35% of these injuries included a traumatic brain injury/concussion. About 7% of those hurt in carrier accidents and 2% hurt in stroller accidents were hospitalized for their injuries.

If you transport your children in a car carrier or stroller, here are 8 ways to avoid injury:

Use strollers and carriers made after September 2015. All of these products are required to meet mandatory standards.
Always ensure your children are properly buckled into the seat.
Check for product incident reports on saferproducts.gov and read other online reviews before making a purchase.
Only allow your child to ride in a stroller or carrier that is appropriate for their size.
Read the product’s instructions for assembly, care and use.
Never leave a child unattended in a stroller or car carrier.
Keep carriers low to the ground when in use.
Don’t allow children to climb into strollers themselves. Always assist them in getting into and buckling the stroller.

“If you follow these basic guidelines and use good judgment, you should not have to worry about your child being hurt in a stroller or car carrier accident,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.