Child booster seats and restraints in Nevada
Child booster seats and restraint systems can protect children in a crash. Choosing the right restraint depends on a child’s size, the seat’s limits and how it fits the vehicle.
Nevada’s child restraint requirements
Under NRS 484B.157, a child who is both under age six and under 57 inches tall generally must ride in an approved child restraint suited to the child and installed according to the instructions. A child under age two generally must ride rear-facing in the back seat. The statute sets out narrow exceptions and their conditions.
What Type of Car Restraint Device Should I Use for My Child?
Keep a child in a rear-facing seat until they reach the seat manufacturer’s height or weight limit. Then follow the seat instructions for forward-facing use with a harness. When the child outgrows that stage, a booster helps position the vehicle belt. The lap belt should rest across the upper thighs and the shoulder belt across the shoulder and chest. Many children still need a booster between ages 8 and 12. Check the NHTSA car seat finder for guidance.
Why Does Nevada Have Booster Seat and Restraint Laws?
Car seats and boosters reduce the risk of serious injury. Injuries that children may sustain in a crash include the following.
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Fractures and broken bones
- Damage to internal organs
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Back and neck injuries
What Should I Do if My Child Is Injured in a Car Accident?
After a collision, getting appropriate medical attention for your child comes first. For an emergency, call 911. Keep the restraint manufacturer, model and crash details for the clinician and for any insurance questions. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance on whether the seat can be reused after the crash.
When Do I Need to File a Claim for My Child’s Automobile Accident?
Claims involving a child can have special rules. Keep medical and crash records, and ask a Nevada attorney which deadlines apply to the child’s claim and any separate claim a parent may have.
