Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

Published on: August 28, 2025

Your child’s safety matters more than anything. But what happens when Michigan car seat laws are violated and an accident occurs? Understanding these laws protects your family and strengthens your legal position if tragedy strikes.

We’ve helped countless Michigan families navigate the complexities of cases requiring a car accident lawyer in Michigan. Let’s break down what you need to know about car seat safety and your rights.

Overview of Michigan Car Seat Laws

Michigan car seat laws take child passenger safety seriously. The state requires specific restraints based on your child’s age, height, and weight. According to the Michigan State Police, proper restraint use reduces the risk of fatal injury to infants by 71%.

Age, Height, and Weight Requirements

• Children under the age of two must ride in seats compliant with the rear-facing car seat law in Michigan.
• Kids between the ages of two and four need forward-facing seats with harnesses. Once they outgrow those (typically around age four), they graduate to booster seats.
• Children must use boosters until they’re either eight years old or 4’9? tall. After that, regular seat belts work fine.

Booster Seat Law Specifics

Michigan’s booster seat requirements focus on proper seat belt positioning. The lap belt should fit snugly across your child’s upper thighs (not stomach). The shoulder belt must cross the chest and shoulder (never the neck or face).

Many parents make the switch too soon. Your child needs that booster until the vehicle’s seat belt fits correctly without it. A car accident lawyer in Michigan sees too many cases where premature transitions lead to preventable injuries.

Rear-Facing vs Forward-Facing Seats

Keep babies rear-facing as long as possible. Modern seats accommodate children up to 40-50 pounds in a rear-facing position. Rear-facing seats distribute crash forces across your child’s back, which is their strongest body part.

Forward-facing seats come later. Wait until your child maxes out their seat’s rear-facing limits. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends extended rear-facing for maximum protection.

Seat Belt Laws After Car Seat/Booster Requirements End

Once your child graduates from a booster, car seat laws in Michigan still require seat belts for everyone. Kids under age 16 must buckle up in all seating positions. Adults face penalties for unbuckled children.

Important Exceptions & Safety Considerations

Not every situation fits standard rules. Michigan car seat laws recognize several exceptions that a car accident lawyer in Michigan needs to understand.

Medical conditions sometimes prevent standard restraint use. Your doctor will provide documentation if your child needs alternative safety measures. Certain disabilities require specialized equipment that goes beyond typical seats.

Vehicle type matters. Taxis, buses, and emergency vehicles follow different rules. Classic cars manufactured before safety standards were established might lack proper anchor points. Front seat placement requires extra caution. Never place rear-facing seats in front of active airbags.

Common Mistakes That Lead to More Severe Injuries

We see preventable tragedies when parents unknowingly violate guidelines for child passenger safety in Michigan. Simple errors multiply injury risks exponentially.

Loose straps are the most common mistake. The harness should pass the “pinch test”, meaning you shouldn’t be able to pinch any slack at your child’s shoulders. Chest clips should be at armpit level. Using the wrong seat for your child’s age and size puts them in danger. Graduating too early from rear-facing or ditching boosters prematurely increases the risk of injury in an accident with child restraint issues.

Getting the installation angle right is critical. If a chair is too upright, it can block the child’s airways. If it’s too reclined, it reduces protection. Following your seat’s instructions precisely prevents these problems.

How Violations Affect Your Auto Accident Claim

Violations of Michigan car seat laws make legal cases significantly more complicated. Insurance companies scrutinize every minute detail when a child suffers injuries. That’s why you need an experienced car accident lawyer in Michigan right away.

Gathering Evidence

Document everything immediately. Take pictures of the car seat’s position, installation, and injuries. Police reports note restraint use, but can miss crucial details. Witness statements about proper seat use prove invaluable.

Save the car seat, but don’t reuse it. Even if it looks fine, internal damage affects your claim. Our  personal injury attorneys will examine the seat for signs of misuse.

Liability Issues

Comparative fault rules apply when violations occur regarding child passenger safety in Michigan. If improper use contributed to injuries, it affects compensation. However, the other driver’s negligence remains the biggest issue.

We’ve won cases even when car seat use wasn’t perfect. Your child deserves compensation regardless of minor violations. The key is to show that the accident itself caused harm.

Violations Impact Compensation

Proper compliance with rear-facing car seat laws in Michigan strengthens your case. It demonstrates that you’re a responsible parent and eliminates any arguments from the defense about preventable injuries. When violations exist, we focus on the other driver’s negligence.

When to Contact a Michigan Car Accident Lawyer

Time matters when it comes to accidents involving children. Evidence disappears quickly, and insurance companies push for inadequate settlements.

Seek medical attention if your child’s been involved in a car accident. Some injuries may go unnoticed at first glance, and even injuries that seem minor need to be evaluated. Contact an auto accident attorney in Michigan if car seat issues complicate your case. We navigate these complexities daily.

How Cochran Law Can Help

We have decades of experience helping families after an injury in an accident involving a child restraint issue. We have parents on our team who understand your fears.

Accident reconstruction experts recreate crash dynamics. They determine whether proper restraint use would’ve changed the outcome of an accident. At the same time, medical professionals evaluate injury patterns. We handle everything so you can focus on your recovery.

Following Michigan car seat laws protects your most precious cargo and strengthens your legal position. Car crashes happen despite our best efforts, and you deserve compassionate support from a car accident lawyer in Michigan who fights for families.

If your child suffered injuries, you need attorneys who put families first. At Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., we understand cases involving issues regarding child passenger safety in Michigan. Our team provides free consultations.

We work on contingency. You pay nothing unless we win. Call us at 1-866-642-4529 or use our online form for a free evaluation. We’re available 24/7 to protect your child’s future.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.