Massachusetts Child Seat Laws: What You Need To Know
Published in Uncategorized on July 30, 2025
Reading Time: 4 minutes
Nothing is more important to parents than the welfare of their children, and that includes ensuring they are as safe as possible in the car. Whether you are driving through Boston’s notorious rush hour traffic or cruising along the Massachusetts Turnpike, following Massachusetts child seat laws is not just good parenting; it’s the law.
In this post, we will explore everything you need to know about Massachusetts child seat laws so you can keep your children safe in case of an accident. We will also take a look at how a Massachusetts car accident attorney can help you understand your legal rights if your child was injured in a car accident.
Child Seat Laws: By Age and Height
Massachusetts state laws are very specific about the types of child seats children must use at different ages and heights. These laws are designed to ensure your child is as safe as possible throughout his or her childhood years, so it is worth keeping a tape measure handy and ensuring your youngsters are progressing to the right seat as they grow taller.
Children up to 57 inches tall
Massachusetts state law Part I, Title XIV, Chapter 90, Section 7AA, states that children under the age of 8 “shall be fastened and secured by a child passenger restraint, unless such passenger measures more than 57 inches in height.”
The term “child passenger restraint” will vary depending on the age of the child:
- First year of life: Children must always ride in rear-facing car seats. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding appropriate age, weight, and height. Some convertible or all-in-one models may be suitable for more than one year’s use.
- 1–3 years: The Massachusetts government advises keeping children in rear-facing seats for as long as possible for safety reasons. When your child has outgrown his or her rear-facing seat, it is time to transition to a forward-facing car seat with appropriate restraints.
- 4–7 years: During this period, your child should be kept in a forward-facing car seat until he or she outgrows the weight and height limits. Then your child is ready to progress to a booster seat. However, he or she must stay in the back seat of the car.
When riding in a car seat, it is not enough to place a child in the seat; it must also be properly secured, and the child must be fastened in.
Children 57 inches and taller
After reaching the age of 8, or more importantly, 57 inches in height, your child is ready to progress to using a regular seat belt. However, this step must only be taken when your child is able to wear it properly.
This is what seat belt safety looks like for children aged 8–12:
- The lap belt should form a snug fit across the upper thighs, not the stomach
- The shoulder belt should sit across the shoulder and chest, not the neck or face
- Children should remain in the back seat
After the age of 13
Beyond the age of 13, children become subject to a different law – Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 90, Section 13A. This law requires everyone over the age of 13 who is operating or riding in a passenger vehicle to wear “a safety belt which is properly adjusted and fastened.”
Fines for non-compliance
A driver may receive a citation for failing to follow Massachusetts child seat laws. However, this does not mean the driver has committed a moving violation of Massachusetts motor vehicle laws.
If you are driving a car and either you or your passenger aged 13–15 is not wearing a seat belt, the driver can be fined. If the passenger is aged 16 or over, he or she can be fined.
However, in Massachusetts, you cannot be pulled over solely because you failed to wear your seat belt. If you are pulled over for another reason, however, and are found not to be wearing a seat belt, you could be fined for this violation.
When a Child Is Injured in a Car Accident
A child getting hurt in a car accident is every parent’s worst nightmare. Unfortunately, each year in Massachusetts, children aged 7 years and younger receive treatment for around 2,100 nonfatal injuries from auto accidents.
The toll of car crash injuries on children
Car accidents involving children can result in serious medical bills, immense pain and suffering, and even developmental problems and disabilities. Some common injuries parents must help their children face include:
- Abdominal injuries
- Facial injuries
- Fractures to the arms, legs, hands, and feet
- Psychological trauma
Understand your child’s right to compensation
Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you may have the right to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit to pursue compensation for your child’s losses. You may have the right to pursue the following on your child’s behalf:
- Medical expenses
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced future earning capacity
An experienced Massachusetts personal injury lawyer can talk you through the specific compensation your child may be entitled to receive.
Violations of child seat laws in civil cases
However, some parents may hold back because they worry they did not properly follow Massachusetts child seat laws. If you feel this way, there is a crucial legal point every parent should be aware of. Section 7AA also states: “A violation of this section shall not be used as evidence of contributory negligence in any civil action.”
This means that if your child was injured in a crash but was not correctly buckled up, this fact can not be used as evidence of contributory negligence. Therefore, you cannot be held liable for your child’s injuries because of failing to follow Massachusetts child seat laws correctly.
Experience the Sweeney Merrigan Difference
When facing one of the most difficult challenges of your life, you need an advocate you can trust. At Sweeney Merrigan, it is our mission to win the trust of each of our clients through transparent communication and rock-solid support from your initial case review to the conclusion of your case.
At a free case review, one of our experienced car accident attorneys will listen to your story with compassion and empathy. The lawyer will advise you on the next steps and whether your case has a strong chance of success. We have secured many multi-million dollar victories and settlements for our clients – now is the time to discover what your case could be worth.
Schedule your free consultation today by calling (774) 214-2515 or completing our online contact form.