Deadly Car Crash on I-95

According to Florida Highway Patrol, one 2-year old child was killed and another 5-year old is in critical condition after a two-vehicle crash on Sunday April 28, 2019. FHP says the two young girls’ godmother was taking them to church on Sunday morning when her 2014 Toyota Corolla collided with a 2019 Kia Forte at 10:45 a.m. on I-95 North of Sample Road and Deerfield beach. The crash shut down parts of the I-95 for several hours. I-95 has since been reopened. The Florida highway patrol says that the two young girls were not strapped in car seats at the time of the accident.

Florida Law on Safety Belts & Child Restraints (Car Seats & Booster Seats)

In 2016 in the United States, 723 children ages 12 years and younger died as occupants in motor vehicle accidents. Of all the children who died in a crash in 2016, 35% were not restrained. That’s why Florida law requires all front passengers and children under 18 to use seat belts or child restraint devices. In fact, an officer is allowed to stop a vehicle and issue a citation simply for observing a safety belt or restraint violation. As for child restraints, Florida law requires all children under the age of 5 to be seated and properly secured in crash tested, federally approved child restrain devices while riding in any vehicle.

Tips for Parents

Even if you are keeping your child restrained, it’s important to make sure that the child restraint is property installed and is the appropriate size for your child as car seat misuse is incredibly common. Here are some important tips and resources that may assist you in making sure your child is properly restrained:

• The best child seat is one that fits your child, fits your car and that will be easy to use correctly every time.
• All children under age 13 should always sit in the back seat.
• Children should remain rear facing until they are 2 years old or outgrow height OR weight requirements for their specific car seat.
• Children 2 years and older, or those who have outgrown their rear-facing car seat, should be in a forward facing five-point harness safety seat until they reach the height OR weight requirements for their specific car seat.
• Once you purchase a car seat, read the seat’s instructions when you install the car seat to make sure it is properly installed.
• If in doubt, check to see if a car seat or booster seat has been recalled at this link: https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/childseat.cfm
• You can purchase a tether strap that can be attached to forward-facing car seats. This provides an additional attachment point from the car seat to the vehicle.
• All children under age 13 should always sit in the back seat.
• Set a good example by wearing your seat belt every time you’re in the car, no matter how short the trip.

After an accident, we understand that there are many questions and concerns about what to do next. Although nothing can undo the pain and suffering that victims and family members go through after an accident like this, an experienced car accident attorney can help. At the Law offices of Suarez & Montero, we pride ourselves on being responsive to our clients’ needs and providing expert legal representation when it matters most. If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident and were injured, please contact us today for a free consultation!