A car accident in Slippery Rock Township, Pennsylvania has caused five people to be taken to local hospitals. An Ellwood City woman was driving north on Ellwood Road in Butler County when her vehicle crossed the center line and into the southbound lane. The Ellwood City woman struck a vehicle being operated by a 51 year old New Castle, Pennsylvania woman. The New Castle resident struck the guardrail and subsequently struck another vehicle being operated by a different New Castle area resident.

The three drivers were all transported to local hospitals as well as two passengers that were ages four and seven respectively. Heritage Valley Hospital in Beaver County, Ellwood City Hospital and Jameson Hospital, both located in Lawrence County, all treated the victims of this multi-car accident.

The two underage passengers that were injured in this car accident were not in proper booster seats. Thankfully, police reports indicate that the injuries they sustained were minor. Under Pennsylvania law, children under the age of four must be restrained in an appropriate car seat. Also, children from age four to age eight must be in an appropriate booster seat.

Properly restraining children in a booster seat has been showed to reduce the risk of injury in a car accident by 45%. You should use a booster seat with your child until your child's knees properly bend at the edge of the seat with their back against the seat; the lap belt of the vehicle fits across your child's upper legs; and the shoulder belt fits across their shoulders and chest.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, call the experienced team of car accident lawyers at Dallas W. Hartman, P.C. today for a free consultation at 1-800-777-4081.

Sources: NC News Online. "Several injured in Ellwood Road accident". 8 June 2015.

SafeKids.org. "Booster Seats Safety Tips". 8 June 2015.