Louisiana law establishes requirements for where children younger than 13 must sit and what type of restraint they must use while riding in many vehicles. When a rear seat is available, children younger than 13 generally must ride in the rear and use the appropriate restraint.
Understanding at what age kids can sit in the front seat of a car in Louisiana can help parents choose a safer place for their children. The law also sets different car seat and booster seat rules based on a child’s age, size, and the limits set by the seat manufacturer.
When Can a Child Sit in the Front Seat in Louisiana?
Under Louisiana’s child passenger restraint law, children younger than 13 must ride in the rear seat when the vehicle has one available. They must also use the child restraint, booster seat, or safety belt required for their age and size.
This means a child who is 13 or older is no longer covered by the law requiring children under 13 to sit in the rear. However, the child must still use a seat belt.
The law makes exceptions for situations where a rear seat is not available. The type of restraint the child needs still depends on the child’s age and size.
What Are Louisiana’s Child Car Seat Requirements?
Louisiana uses several stages of child passenger protection. Children should move to the next type of restraint only after meeting the age and size requirements.
The requirements generally include:
- Children younger than 2 must ride in a rear-facing child safety seat until they reach the seat manufacturer’s height or weight limit
- Children age 2 or older who have outgrown a rear-facing seat must use a forward-facing seat with an internal harness until they reach its limits
- Children age 4 or older who have outgrown a forward-facing seat must use a belt-positioning booster seat
- Children age 9 or older, or those who have outgrown the booster seat by height or weight, may use an adult safety belt when it fits correctly
- Children younger than 13 must ride in the rear seat when one is available
If a child fits into more than one category, Louisiana law requires the more protective option. Parents should also follow the height and weight limits provided by the car seat manufacturer.
When Can a Child Stop Using a Booster Seat?
Age alone does not always determine when a child is ready to stop using a booster.
Louisiana State Police recommends using a five-step test to determine whether a seat belt fits properly. The child should be able to sit all the way back against the vehicle seat with their knees bending over the edge. The lap belt should fit snugly across the thighs and lower hips rather than the abdomen, and the shoulder belt should cross the center of the chest rather than the neck.
A properly fitting belt should sit across the child’s upper thighs rather than the stomach. The shoulder belt should cross the chest and shoulder instead of the neck or face.
Why Is the Back Seat Safer for Children?
The back seat places children farther from the dashboard and front airbags during many types of crashes. Front airbags deploy quickly and with significant force. They are designed to protect adults and larger passengers, but that force can be dangerous for smaller children.
Proper restraints are also important in the rear seat. A child should use the car seat, booster, or seat belt that fits their current size rather than moving to the next stage too early.
What if a Child Is Injured in a Car Accident?
After a crash, a child should receive medical care when there are signs of injury.
If another driver caused the crash, a personal injury claim may seek comcpensation for losses related to the child’s injuries, which may include:
- Emergency treatment
- Hospital care
- Doctor visits
- Rehabilitation
- Future medical treatment
- Pain and suffering
Using the proper child restraint can reduce the risk of serious injury, but it cannot prevent every injury in a severe collision.
Contact the Shreveport Car Accident Attorneys at Desiah Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Proper car seats, booster seats, and seat belts can help protect children, but they cannot prevent every injury in a serious collision. When another driver causes a crash, determining liability and documenting a child’s current and future medical needs can be important parts of a personal injury claim.
Desiah Injury Lawyers can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and explain your family’s legal options. If your child was injured in a car accident in Shreveport or elsewhere in Louisiana, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Shreveport car accident lawyer.
Desiah Injury Lawyers – Shreveport Office
333 Texas St Suite Suite 1300, Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 252-3034
Desiah Injury Lawyers – New Orleans Office
201 St Charles Ave #2500, New Orleans, LA 70170
(504) 553 3047