How the right restraint could limit the need to claim whiplash compensation

When travelling with young passengers it's extremely important that drivers provide the correct restraint to protect them against suffering such car accident injuries as whiplash. If a child has not been restrained, either by means of a seatbelt or child seat, it could affect the driver's eligibility to make a whiplash compensation claim on their behalf.

An unrestrained child could suffer severe personal injuries in the event of a road traffic accident and so to combat this problem, child seat regulations were introduced on 18th September 2006 to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities amongst children.

But how do you know what car seat to buy for your young passengers? Here at Car Accident Advice Line, we have created a user guide to help you choose the correct restraint and reduce your chances of having to make a whiplash compensation claim in the event of a motor accident.

Buying a suitable restraint for your child
When you're shopping for an appropriate restraint, you will notice that most retailers will refer to the item by 'Stages'. It is important to know what Stage represents your child's weight before hitting the high street. You may wish to print off the following information to use when shopping for a car seat or cushion. The different Stages are:

Stage 1 = Groups 0 and 0+
Stage 2 = Group 1
Stage 3 = Group 2
Stage 4 = Group 3

Rearward-facing baby seats
These seats can be used for:
Group 0: Babies up to 10 kgs, from birth to 6-9months
Group 0+: Babies up to 13 kgs, from birth to 12-15 months

Rearward-facing seats provide excellent support for the baby's head and neck and could prevent the child from sustaining an injury, for which you may later have to make a whiplash compensation claim for. These seats can be used in the front and rear of the vehicle but should not be used on the front passenger seat if there is a passenger airbag.

Forward-facing child seat
These seats can be used for:
Group 1: Children weighing 9-18kg, from 9 months-4 years

This seat will be fitted with a harness and could prevent your child from suffering car accident injuries if a crash occurs. The chair can also be used in either the front or rear of the vehicle but should not be used in the front of the car if a passenger airbag is fitted.

Booster seats and booster cushions
Group 2: Children weighing 15-25 kgs, from 4-6 years
Group 3: Children weighing 22-36 kgs, from 6-11 years

These seats are no longer sold as individual groups and new designs will allow the driver to convert a booster seat into a booster cushion by detaching the back. Some booster seats are sold with side wings, which could help in the event of a road traffic accident and reduce your chances of having to consult a personal injury solicitor to make a whiplash compensation claim on your child's behalf.

When a booster seat has been converted to a cushion it is important to ensure that the seatbelt is then fitted correctly around the child. The seatbelt on the cushion should be strapped across the child's pelvic region and the diagonal seatbelt should rest over their shoulder and not their neck. Again, a booster seat and cushion can be used in the front or rear of the vehicle but should not be placed in the front of the car if there is a fitted passenger airbag.

All of the above could help reduce the chances of a child suffering neck injuries in a car crash and will limit the driver's need to make a whiplash compensation claim.

How to make a whiplash compensation claim
If you or a loved one has been injured in a road accident that wasn't your fault, you could be eligible to make a whiplash compensation claim.

Here at Car Accident Advice Line, we work with a panel of expert personal injury solicitors who over the years have achieved a fantastic success rate and could help you make a no win, no fee claim.

You really won't have to pay a penny for making a whiplash compensation claim and we can guarantee that you will receive 100% of the damages awarded.

For more information on making a claim with us, fill out an online request form, giving a brief description of your claim or simply call one of our friendly advisors for free on 0808 143 43 42.