South Carolina Minivan Accident Lawyers

Minivans are making a major comeback on American roads. According to Edmunds, minivan sales surged 21% last year to nearly 394,000 units sold, more than ten times the growth rate of the overall U.S. auto market. That means more families in South Carolina and across the country are behind the wheel of these vehicles than ever before.

Minivans became popular for their versatility. Ample, removable seating allows for the transportation of multiple family members, personal items, cargo, or pets, depending on a family’s needs at any given time. Sliding doors give easy in and out access for school drop offs and pickups.

Yet, these vehicles also pose several dangers. Understanding seat belt and child seat requirements and staying alert to recalls and hidden dangers can help you protect your loved ones.

South Carolina Seatbelt Laws

South Carolina requires both children and adults to wear proper seat belts or safety restraints in a vehicle. Children who are at least 8 years old and 57 inches (4 feet 9 inches) in height may use a regular seat belt; younger, smaller children must use child or booster seats. 

Everyone under the age of 17 must wear a seat belt in a vehicle. The seat belt rule applies to all privately owned vehicles except for classic cars, which may not be equipped with seat belts. 

Child Seats and Booster Seats

South Carolina law requires children to use safety seats or booster seats until they are at least eight years old and 4 feet 9 inches tall. If a vehicle has a back seat, children must ride in the back seat. These requirements are intended to reduce injuries and keep children safer in vehicles. 

Some exceptions to the car seat law exist, but they are narrow. For instance, children with medical needs who cannot use a car seat or booster seat are not required to use one. Instead, these children must have a special restraint system that adapts to their medical needs. 

To keep your kids safe in their seats:

• Use the correct seat type for your child’s size.
• Use new, current-model seats and install them correctly.
• Never re-use a seat that has been in a crash, has been dropped from a height, or has been stored in a hot environment. 

Recalls and Hidden Dangers in Minivan Models

Minivans tend to rank high for safety, especially for child passengers. Yet, not all minivans meet this standard. Recently, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that several minivan models pose risks for backseat passengers in head-on collisions.

In their crash tests, the IIHS found that the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Chrysler Pacifica, and Kia Carnival all put backseat child passengers at higher risk for chest injuries in a head-on crash. While the front-seat occupants were well-protected, smaller back-seat occupants tended to suffer injuries from poor seat belt positioning or from the impact of the belt on the body during the impact. Essentially, several minivan models flunked the test for protecting backseat passengers. 

The IIHS rated the Honda Odyssey “poor” in this category. The other three minivans received a “marginal” rating. Other testing minivans were rated “acceptable” or “good.” 

Even among minivans that rank high for overall safety, more can be done to keep minivan passengers safe on the road.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently recommended that minivan seatbelt warnings be louder and more visible in some vehicles. The IIHS noted that the Toyota Sienna, which has separate reminders for second—and third-row seat belts, provides a good example of a reminder system that can help ensure passengers buckle up and stay safe. 

Regardless of your vehicle’s seat belt reminder system, it’s wise to double-check that everyone in the vehicle is wearing their seat belt before you begin driving. 

Types of Injuries in Minivan Accidents

Although the back seat remains the safest place for children in a minivan crash, injuries can occur. Common minivan accident injuries include:

• Head and brain injuries, especially if the head hits a seat or another object in a crash.
• Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries ranging from whiplash to paralysis.
• Broken bones caused by the forces of the crash.
• Blunt force injuries can cause bruising, internal bleeding, and organ damage.
• Crush injuries or amputations.
• Scarring and disfigurement. 

Seat belts, child safety seats, and booster seats can prevent some injuries in car accidents. However, in a severe car collision, anyone inside the vehicle can be injured. 

Talk to an Experienced South Carolina Minivan Collision Lawyer Today

Minivans still remain a popular mode of transportation for families. Even the most careful driver may suffer injuries if a negligent driver causes a crash or there is a defect with the minivan. If you’re injured in a car accident involving a minivan, talk to an experienced South Carolina auto accident lawyer today. The team at Steinberg Law Firm can help.