A multi-vehicle car crash near the Orange and Brevard County line resulted in eight people hospitalized, including an infant, according to a news report by the Orlando Sentinel. The accident involved as many as 17 vehicles, and happened on State Road 520. Law enforcement shut down part of the road in both directions as the vehicles spread across the grassy areas and roads.
The multi-car wreck was a chain reaction that was started when an eastbound vehicle was rear-ended by another driver around 6am, according to reports by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The vehicle that was rear-ended was carrying an infant. There was low visibility on the roads that morning. Specifically, smoke and fog was lingering around the area and drivers reported to law enforcement that visibility was near zero. A majority of the crash victims were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment; the infant was labeled a trauma alert. The investigation remains ongoing as to whether or not charges will be brought.
Younger Children at a Higher Risk for Car Accident Injuries
The National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics reveal that head injuries are the most common injuries sustained by children who are involved in a car accident. Children under the age of 1 have the highest risk of suffering a head injury in a car crash. This age group also is at a higher risk of contusions, lacerations, thoracic injuries, concussions, and unconsciousness due to injuries suffered as a result of a car accident. Younger children are also more likely to sustain rib fractures.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that motor vehicle accident-related injuries are the leading cause of death among children in America. Many of these deaths, the CDC notes, are preventable. Statistics show that in 2015 more than 660 children ages 12 years and under died as passengers in car accidents. Of those fatalities, 35% of the children were not using a safety restraint at the time the crash occurred. More than 121,350 were injured in car accidents in 2014. A CDC study revealed one year that more than 600,000 children ages 12 and under rode – at least some of the time – in vehicles without using a safety seat, booster seat, or a seat belt.
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Florida Traffic Safety Laws
Florida mandates the use of children restraint systems for minors under the age of 4. That being said, every violation of this rule cannot reasonably be enforced all the time by officers. Studies conducted by the CDC note that almost three-quarters of child restraint systems are not even used properly, putting children at even greater possible risk if an accident happens.
Florida law, unlike some states across the country, does not require children ride in rear seats. This is despite medical research showing that placing a minor in a rear seat is safer than placing him or her in a front seat should an accident happen. The CDC explains that air bags can harm or even kill children in a car accident that otherwise could have been survivable due to the impact of the bags.
Children under the age of 1 have the highest risk of suffering a head injury in a car crash.
Our Brevard Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help
If you, your child, or a loved one has been hurt in a Florida car accident, contact the personal injury lawyers at Bogin, Munns & Munns. With more than 35 years of experience representing the injured across the state of Florida, our skilled attorneys can guide you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule your appointment at one of our Central Florida locations.
NOTICE: The article above is not intended to serve as legal advice, and you should not rely on it as such. It is offered only as general information. You should consult with a duly licensed attorney regarding your Florida legal matter, as every situation is unique. Please know that merely reading this article, subscribing to this blog, or otherwise contacting Bogin, Munns & Munns does not establish an attorney-client relationship with our firm. Should you seek legal representation from Bogin, Munns & Munns, any such representation must first be agreed to by the firm and confirmed in a written agreement.
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