Driving with Kid's...Options??? [Archive]

hojhauler

01-11-2009, 07:25 PM

I am looking to this group of mobile travelers to see what seems to be the safest and most effective way to solve a problem since I know I am not the first one to have this situation. I have a 2001 F-250, crew cab, 4x4, shortbed w/powerstroke that I use for a daily commuter, weekend hauler and family trips. The truck has 145K miles on it but I have spent plenty of money on it to get it to where it is now (new tranny, tires, unit bearings, alternator, etc...)and since today's market is sooo soft for used vehicles trading or selling and buying something else is not an option.

So.....Is there a good option for a ambulance type box, hard shell, utility box or something other than fiberglass topper that I could look at to help the family (3 younger girls) move around a little bit while on long trips pulling the travel trailer?? I am mostly thinking just when it is sleeping time to have somewhere to stretch out and get all three out of the rear seat. Of course the NUMBER ONE priority has to be safety for the kids so that is why they just can't crawl back in to a truck bed with a fiberglass shell and no seatbelts. I have looked in to all sorts of things like converted boxes, slide-in's, sleepers....etc, basically looking for something that someone else has done or seen that seems to work effectively and is safe like a small class C or B rv....thanks for any help or suggestions.

mountainpete

01-11-2009, 07:43 PM

I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think you will find much. There are lots of options to make use of your bed and turn it into a sleeping area, but none are considered safe for people to be in while the vehicle is moving. As you said, safety is the priority with young ones.

You would really have to move to a class C or convert your existing truck to a motorhome to achieve what you are looking for. Unfortunately that would cost much more then the market loss to trade your existing truck for something more fitting (possibly something like a full size SUV with a third row seat).

Pete

Zaphod

01-12-2009, 12:25 PM

Of course the NUMBER ONE priority has to be safety for the kids so that is why they just can't crawl back in to a truck bed with a fiberglass shell and no seatbelts.

My sister and I were driven from one end of this country to the other doing almost precisely that, only we were in a big station wagon. The only reason it's considered "unsafe" now is because a bunch of safety-seat manufacturers persuaded a bunch of do-gooder politicians to once again create a means of generating public funds in the form of fines, all in the name of "safety". The fact that the lobbying safety-seat manufacturers struck it rich in the process is a detail that's often overlooked in the "corporations SUCK!" hysteria.

The result? Kids strapped into cars tighter than some test pilots I've seen. Unable to move, sleep, or even get comfortable. Yeah, hell of a way to make travel more enjoyable!

That said (and probably because of the fear of being sued into the Twilight Zone) you will probably find NOTHING that meets your needs, so your best bet will be to find a way to fabricate what you need yourself or with the help of a friend. I recommend that you put one-way windows in the enclosure so that no one can look in and see your little ones sleeping, be that a nosey cop who doesn't want to be bothered with actually catching bad guys, or a real bad guy trolling for targets. The other option, as already stated, is to ditch the pickup for an SUV-type vehicle. I would follow the latter option, personally. It yields protection, eas of back-and-forth, and better climate control than anything reasonable you could add onto a pickup.

It's a wonder anyone from my generation (I'm in my 40's) managed to live past the age of six given what you hear from the "safety first!" idiots these days. :rolleyes:

Build what you need then go enjoy life with your kids. I wish I had more chances to do that with mine. :(

jeffryscott

01-12-2009, 12:41 PM

My sister and I were driven from one end of this country to the other doing almost precisely that, only we were in a big station wagon. The only reason it's considered "unsafe" now is because a bunch of safety-seat manufacturers persuaded a bunch of do-gooder politicians to once again create a means of generating public funds in the form of fines, all in the name of "safety". The fact that the lobbying safety-seat manufacturers struck it rich in the process is a detail that's often overlooked in the "corporations SUCK!" hysteria.

The result? Kids strapped into cars tighter than some test pilots I've seen. Unable to move, sleep, or even get comfortable. Yeah, hell of a way to make travel more enjoyable! (

Wow, glad you are not my father. I'm in my 40s too, have two girls (6 and 4) and wouldn't dream of letting them crawl around like we did as youngsters. Have you ever been to accidents where people are ejected? Not pretty. I've seen many an infant saved by being strapped in tighter than a test pilot - and many other folks (amazing how many people still don't use safety belts) dead.

Since safety is the original posters priority, I too doubt you will find anything that meets your needs. Just get them as comfortable in the seats as you can, take frequent breaks ... video player, games, etc ... Good luck.

IH8RDS

01-12-2009, 12:51 PM

I too was raised with no seatbelts. Amazingly we were never in a crash. I remember lying down in the back of the station wagon or on the floor boards of the car.

I couldn’t imagine my kids without seatbelts now. We have a 05 Suburban for travel. Having six kids and needing to tow 7000lbs limits vehicle choice. The Suburban is decked out with entertainment for the kids. DVD/Xbox etc. Make plenty of stops stretch there legs. On rare occasions they switch seats while driving, but only if it is a necessity. "he's touching/looking/pinching me" type of situations. lol

Harald Hansen

01-12-2009, 01:05 PM

Close to half of all fatalities in car accidents would have been prevented if everybody was strapped in properly, at least in my area. Over 43.000 people died on US highways in 2005 (http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=6195). Nothing is as safe as sitting strapped in.

Now that I've got that off my chest:

What we do is pace ourselves. We have frequent stops, and make sure that kid #1 (#2 is still a toddler) runs around a bit when we're stationary. It's good for the driver too, as long hauls tend to take a toll on concentration - at least mine.

Keep the kids as comfortable as possible, with their stuff within reach and in a comfortable seat.

Don't give them sweets while driving - most kids become restless from the sugar "high".

hojhauler

01-12-2009, 01:15 PM

DVD/Xbox etc. Make plenty of stops stretch there legs. On rare occasions they switch seats while driving, but only if it is a necessity. "he's touching/looking/pinching me" type of situations.

been there and have and done that! I appreciate everyone's response and I too remember making a cross country trip with my parents, grandparents and my brother and I laying mostly on the luggage in the back of the station wagon while we traveled to Grand Canyon and Disneyland....and we made it!

That being said my profession as a firefighter has put me on many a scene where safetly belts saved lives and a few where they would have been better being ejected but you can't play those bad odds....especially not with my children so safety belts of some kind are a must.

I don't have a problem with a large suv or van (actually would love a sportsmobile) but can't afford one. But I have actually looked at some smaller Class C Rv's and they are nothing more than a van front with tin and fiberglass shell on the back...I have to believe that a fully welded aluminum shell or metal utility shell would be safer in a rollover or side collision than some of the tin and stick rv's on the market. I know that in the courts they may not believe it but I would think that if overly built it could/ would be safer in the bed of a truck covered and belted properly than moving/ belted around in a class C RV.

Enough with the rant, just wondering if I am off the mark and have always enjoyed this groups creativity and vision to be able to see and work outside the box....so keep the comments/ suggestions/ real world applications coming.

boblynch

01-12-2009, 01:37 PM

This may sound crazy, but why not look for a used Excursion and a dealer willing to swap you even. Big SUVs aren't selling and plenty of contractors are looking for the 7.3L. A low mileage Excursion with the quad captains chairs would give the kids room to recline and still have seat belts and room for gear.

Zaphod

01-12-2009, 01:40 PM

I don't have a problem with a large suv or van (actually would love a sportsmobile) but can't afford one.

I don't want to question your finances, but are you sure? A very decent SUV can be had for less than $10K these days, depending on what you're looking at. If you are able to trade in your pickup in the process...

The recent gas price rollercoaster put the kibosh on the second-hand SUV market. At one point folks couldn't give them away. If you haven't looked recently, you may want to.

And for the record, yes, I've seen the results of people not wearing seatbelts. No, they're not pretty. It still doesn't convince me that government needs to FORCE us to wear them. Besides, people die when wearing seatbelts, too. Maybe we should just ban all recreational vehicle use. Safety, the environment, and all that jazz. :rolleyes:

I'm just glad that my little ones are just about to get out of needing booster seats. The only benefit I see for them (the seats that is) is that the kids can see out the windows better...

hojhauler

01-12-2009, 01:54 PM

Actually I have looked at trading or selling outright, it is just that I have spent soooooo much money on it lately to get it right where I want it to only find out it does a few things great and a really important thing not so well.

It is all trade-off's with vehicle modification and I am sure that many on this site can relate to getting that vehicle set-up perfectly how you wanted it only to realize it is not what you really want/ need???....that is where I am at and I just wanted to see if there was one last ditch effort to keep what I have.

I agree there are some incredible deals in the used suv market (I was saying I could not afford a sportsmobile) and I do have a 'wanted' vehicle with the 7.3 it is just a matter or finding the right buyer...which I might just have to go ahead and list it.

Zaphod

01-12-2009, 02:04 PM

Sorry, man. I should have read your OP a bit more closely. :o

The only thing I've seen that could meet your needs was a unit that they build onto the back of a truck (I wish I could remember the manufacturer), and IIRC they can use F-250's or 350's as a starting point. You wouldn't need a trailer anymore, either. The bad side is the cost (it was a ton of bucks), as well as that it would cease to be a DD vehicle. Probably wouldn't work for you.

Hell of a nice conversion, though. :drool:

I'm afraid you'll be limited to following the advice above and simply taking more breaks along the trip, or else building something custom. With three girls in the back, it'll be cramped no matter what you do.... :Wow1:

Superu

01-12-2009, 02:13 PM

I'm just glad that my little ones are just about to get out of needing booster seats. The only benefit I see for them (the seats that is) is that the kids can see out the windows better...

While seeing out the window better is an added bonus, the purpose of child booster seat is to allow for better alignment of the seat belt so it will properly restrain them when needed and not cause injury rather than prevent it.

Here are the three main criteria widely accepted for moving to a standard seated position from a booster seat.

The child can sit all the way back against the vehicle seat, with knees bent comfortably over the edge.
The lap belt remains snugly across the bony areas of the lower hips/upper thighs (not the soft abdomen).
The shoulder belt remains snugly positioned across the chest and collarbone.

kjp1969

01-12-2009, 03:51 PM

My sister and I were driven from one end of this country to the other doing almost precisely that, only we were in a big station wagon. The only reason it's considered "unsafe" now is because a bunch of safety-seat manufacturers persuaded a bunch of do-gooder politicians to once again create a means of generating public funds in the form of fines, all in the name of "safety". The fact that the lobbying safety-seat manufacturers struck it rich in the process is a detail that's often overlooked in the "corporations SUCK!" hysteria.

The result? Kids strapped into cars tighter than some test pilots I've seen. Unable to move, sleep, or even get comfortable. Yeah, hell of a way to make travel more enjoyable!

All it takes is one crash and the "safety first idiots" will start to look like geniuses next to the above line of thinking. I was unfortunate enough to have a serious accident with my 2 and 4 year olds strapped into the back of our explorer- the crash totaled the explorer and our travel trailer. Although we didn't roll over, we probably should have. Anyway, everyone walked away without a scratch. A friend of mine had a similar accident and his unbelted son seriously broke his arm- they weren't sure for while whether they would have to amputate it.

Safety is silly? Well, maybe, but only until you need it. Then it becomes pretty important. Kids get buckled in tight, just like test pilots. If they're uncomfortable, then tough. That's what rest stops and DVD's are for.

Zaphod

01-12-2009, 03:58 PM

Safety is silly?

No. Just regulations masquerading as "safety" when they're really about MONEY..

As for the "All it takes is one crash..." mentality, I can use that to ban private ownership of vehicles. Use mass transit, instead. It has a better safety record AND it's better for the environment. Better yet, stay home.

See the problem? Where do we stop?

kjp1969

01-12-2009, 05:11 PM

No. Just regulations masquerading as "safety" when they're really about MONEY..

As for the "All it takes is one crash..." mentality, I can use that to ban private ownership of vehicles. Use mass transit, instead. It has a better safety record AND it's better for the environment. Better yet, stay home.

See the problem? Where do we stop?

Sometimes the people who make a lot of money are also promoting the right thing. The two aren't mutually exclusive. Statistically, we will all have a serious crash. You've either had one, or you will. You can play the odds, and bet that I'm going to have two and you won't have any, but that's a risky game to play with your own safety, much less your kids. You can also bet that you won't have a fire (so you don't need a fire extinguisher), that you won't get lost (so you don't need a map), or that you won't break down (so you don't need tools or a phone).

My 4, 7 and 9 year olds don't always do what's best for them. That's why I make them buckle their seatbelts even if they don't want to. I'm the grown up, and I make and enforce the rules. I'm not going to let them wander all over the car just because they want to. Letting them dictate how safe to be makes as much sense and letting them choose whether or not to eat their veggies, or take a bath, or do their homework or tell the truth. Letting them choose comfort over safety would be an abdication of my responsibility as their father. Some people do this, I know, but its an unacceptable choice for me. I'd like to think that this makes me a better father- time will tell.

I don't really know what you're talking about, what with banning cars and such. We're talking about seatbelts. Just because you don't agree with the law that says they have to buckle up, doesn't mean you don't have a responsibility to make good choices for your kids, and not let them act any which way they want to.

R_Lefebvre

01-12-2009, 05:29 PM

I don't know if I'd let my kids roll around in the back of a pickup truck, but I do agree it is pretty silly that *if* something were to happen, and you'd done that, you'd probably be in big trouble. Yet if you were driving a small RV that is basically a converted truck, and had the same accident, and the results would be the same... nobody would blame you for anything.

Why don't school busses have seat belts?

I do agree that in principle, the idea is no worse than driving an RV, but the reality is, you just aren't going to be able to pull this off, legally.

Zaphod

01-12-2009, 05:30 PM

Sometimes the people who make a lot of money are also promoting the right thing.

True. Their offering of safety seats and such to the market is the right thing. Their pushing for laws mandating THEIR products WASN'T and ISN'T.

Just because you don't agree with the law that says they have to buckle up, doesn't mean you don't have a responsibility to make good choices for your kids, and not let them act any which way they want to.

I agree wholeheartedly. But just because I have a responsibility doesn't mean that there should also be a law telling me how to do it. If it's MY responsibility, let ME exercise it.

kjp1969

01-12-2009, 05:46 PM

True. Their offering of safety seats and such to the market is the right thing. Their pushing for laws mandating THEIR products WASN'T and ISN'T.

I agree wholeheartedly. But just because I have a responsibility doesn't mean that there should also be a law telling me how to do it. If it's MY responsibility, let ME exercise it.

I agree that perhaps adults shouldn't be compelled to wear seatbelts. But kids are a different story. You would end up having adults making poor decisions and the kids suffering the consequences. That sort of cancels out the whole "assumption of the risk" thing.

Zaphod

01-12-2009, 06:21 PM

You would end up having adults making poor decisions and the kids suffering the consequences.

Then you nail those adults to the wall, and deservedly so. Just don't make the responsible ones have to pay for the irresponsible ones.

ETA: I apologize profusely to you, hojhauler, for hijacking your thread. Sometimes I can't keep my opinions to myself. In hindsight, I should have here. I'm going to bow out so you can hopefully find a solution to your problem that works for you. Happy trails, and drive safe. :o

Bill Beers

01-12-2009, 09:33 PM

It's a wonder anyone from my generation (I'm in my 40's) managed to live past the age of six given what you hear from the "safety first!" idiots these days. :rolleyes:

I think that part of it is that in the 40 years from 1963 to 2003, the number of drivers in the US has increased 108% to 196,000,000.

Saying that by the rational of saftey we should ban all private vehicle ownership is a straw man argument.

Laws requiring the use of carseats and boosters for kids are not a problem.

-Bill

Jeep

01-12-2009, 10:33 PM

I too slept on the floor of my dads welding trucks enroute to the middle of nowhere. Today, I wouldn't think of letting my kids out of their seatbelts while in motion. You see, when I was a kid the population was smaller, natural selection did it's job, and I believe there were less idiots on our planet. Safety legislation and big brothers incriminate the boss policies have allowed the stupid to last long enough to multiply and as generations go on, there are a lot more stupid people sharing our roads. That is why we must be diligent protecting ourselves and our children.

That being said there might still be an option that exists very strongly in Alberta. We have many oilfield medics running around with fiberglass EMS boxes on their trucks. OSHA has made it mandatory that they are ROPS as well, (Rollover Protective Structure) in case of an accident. Google oilfield medic, and there are companies like HSE, IHSS, and others that use these rigs, probably one of the few and safe bets. Good luck.

Mark

jeffryscott

01-12-2009, 11:47 PM

I agree wholeheartedly. But just because I have a responsibility doesn't mean that there should also be a law telling me how to do it. If it's MY responsibility, let ME exercise it.

Sorry, but when folks don't take responsibility to buckle up, and end up quads or transported by chopper or dead - who is responsible for the cost? Who pays for the fire response? Who pays for the lifelong care? We all end up paying the tab. Accidents happen, of course, but responsibility is doing your part.

hojhauler

01-12-2009, 11:57 PM

So.....Is there a good option for a ambulance type box, hard shell, utility box or something other than fiberglass topper that I could look at to help the family (3 younger girls) move around a little bit while on long trips pulling the travel trailer?? I am mostly thinking just when it is sleeping time to have somewhere to stretch out and get all three out of the rear seat. Of course the NUMBER ONE priority has to be safety for the kids so that is why they just can't crawl back in to a truck bed with a fiberglass shell and no seatbelts. I have looked in to all sorts of things like converted boxes, slide-in's, sleepers....etc, basically looking for something that someone else has done or seen that seems to work effectively and is safe like a small class C or B rv....thanks for any help or suggestions

maybe some have gotten a little off topic, it is not a situation of whether or not the kids are belted in, THEY WILL BE. It is not a situation of who or who is not telling me I have to take care of my kids, because THEY WILL BE taken care of by me!

It is simply a question about whether or not there is a safe vehicle modification that allows me to keep my vehicle and keep my kids safe while on a trip.

kjp1969

01-13-2009, 12:39 AM

maybe some have gotten a little off topic, it is not a situation of whether or not the kids are belted in, THEY WILL BE. It is not a situation of who or who is not telling me I have to take care of my kids, because THEY WILL BE taken care of by me!

It is simply a question about whether or not there is a safe vehicle modification that allows me to keep my vehicle and keep my kids safe while on a trip.

Yeah, back on track: In my opinion, the heavy lifting has already been done by the manufacturer in terms of safe, comfortable seating. You're looking at some pretty serious engineering to duplicate it, and you probably won't succeed at some level. I would suggest either putting-up-with-what-you've-got or trading on a suburban or excursion. We have 3 small ones in a Toyota Sequoia (8 passenger) and no one complains too much even on an 8 hour trip, but we have the luxury of splitting the troublemakers up between the 2nd and 3rd rows of seating.

Get a DVD player- its a life saver. We try to start a movie at oh-minus-meltdown and that usually buys another 90 minutes before a rest stop. Then we run the beejeezus out of them at the rest stop so that they're good and tired for the next leg of the trip.

Zaphod

01-13-2009, 01:09 AM

I would suggest either putting-up-with-what-you've-got or trading on a suburban or excursion.

Agreed. Even if you could let them lay down, there's no way to strap them in so you still have to go with seats of some kind.

Some SUV's rear seats can recline back a bit while still having the seatbelt in place. Not sure if the F-250 has any kind of adjustment like that, but it's going to be your only bet besides making due with what you have.

Get a DVD player- its a life saver. We try to start a movie at oh-minus-meltdown and that usually buys another 90 minutes before a rest stop. Then we run the beejeezus out of them at the rest stop so that they're good and tired for the next leg of the trip.

LOL. Sounds vaguely familiar. Best money I ever spent was on an adapter to run my laptop in the car as a DVD player. :victory:

R_Lefebvre

01-13-2009, 02:11 AM

Antichrist

01-13-2009, 01:09 PM

Then you nail those adults to the wall, and deservedly so. Just don't make the responsible ones have to pay for the irresponsible ones.And exactly how would you nail them? If there is no law requiring car/booster seats for children under a certain age, they can't be charged with anything in order to nail them.

It is simply a question about whether or not there is a safe vehicle modification that allows me to keep my vehicle and keep my kids safe while on a trip.To what degree of safety? I doubt you'll find anything that will keep them as safe as properly in their seats.

Zaphod

01-13-2009, 01:29 PM

Just a note, it's not really much safer to recline the seats and wear a belt than it would be just to not wear it in the first place. With the seat reclined, you're pretty likely to just squirt out under the lap belt. I don't allow my wife to recline her seat much at all. Maybe 15°.

You certainly wouldn't be able to recline them flat. Even doing only 15 degrees or so, the sholder belt becomes less effective since it's no longer in contact with the body (depends on where the pillars of the vehicle are unless the shoulder strap mount moves with the seat). It's the same problem with laying down in back. Sure, you could strap them DOWN somehow, but if the vehicle hits something those kids are going to move forward. Flip them around and they're at risk if the vehicle is hit from behind.

I'm wondering if anyone sells a supplemental restraint system that would allow the use of reclined seats yet still provide decent retention? Obviously it would need to move with the seat. Something like a 5-point belt...

Bill Beers

01-13-2009, 02:56 PM

I'm wondering if anyone sells a supplemental restraint system that would allow the use of reclined seats yet still provide decent retention? Obviously it would need to move with the seat. Something like a 5-point belt...

I'm pretty sure that my buddy's '04(?) Tahoe has the shoulder belts in the upright portion of the seat, so no matter the angle of the seatback, the shoulder belt is alway in the same place.

http://www.butler-motors.com/images/inventory/04tahoe/FrontSeat_Big.JPG

The lap belt is standard however. With out an anti-sub strap, I'd worry about slipping out from under the belt.

That's why we have to have these in our rally car, (and undoubtedly why infant seat, which are way reclinced, have 5-point harnesses as well.):

http://www.ogracing.com/images/products/1172-G-FORCE-PRO-SERIES-5-PT-CAMLOCK-HARNESS-SET.jpg

chet

01-13-2009, 04:50 PM

ya our kid loved his 5 points! When I take the seat out to clean I strap him in and hold him upside down. He loves it and gives me a chance to check its function! :D. Although now he can stand up and walk around with it strapped to his butt. funny!

michaelgroves

01-15-2009, 12:54 AM

And for the record, yes, I've seen the results of people not wearing seatbelts. No, they're not pretty. It still doesn't convince me that government needs to FORCE us to wear them. Besides, people die when wearing seatbelts, too.

I agree with you on that point. As you can see from my sig, I think we spend far too much of our lives trying to prevent our untimely deaths, and the only effect is statistical. Crazy idiots still often survive, and cautious fraidy-cats still often die young. Who is anyone to tell me I must wear a seatbelt?

However, let's face it, the payoff for any life-threatening risk has to be very very good for it to be a worthwhile bet. And the benefit of driving without seatbelts doesn't seem to me to be a satisfactory tradeoff. Overall I like Harald's approach:

What we do is pace ourselves. We have frequent stops, and make sure that kid #1 (#2 is still a toddler) runs around a bit when we're stationary. It's good for the driver too, as long hauls tend to take a toll on concentration - at least mine.

Keep the kids as comfortable as possible, with their stuff within reach and in a comfortable seat.

Don't give them sweets while driving - most kids become restless from the sugar "high".

hojhauler

01-24-2009, 07:16 PM

without getting in to another full on debate about seat belts, this is kind of the option I was originally talking about. A box with a small pass through that kids could have some room while traveling....but where would one find such a box?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Vehicles-Trailers___2002-Ford-F550-Diesel-4x4-Crew-Carrier-Truck-Elko_W0QQitemZ150322486516QQddnZOtherQ20VehiclesQ2 0Q26Q20TrailersQQddiZ2828QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCommer cial_Trucks?hash=item150322486516&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Doin_It

01-24-2009, 10:13 PM

What the heck, I grew up with teter totors ans merry go rounds, and I'm still here...............

hojhauler

01-24-2009, 10:51 PM

What the heck, I grew up with teter totors ans merry go rounds, and I'm still here...............

yeah, you and me both....I guess this like most of the trucks on this site is/ would be more of a toy for me, the big kid!

Jeep

01-25-2009, 02:28 AM

Check this out, certified to haul humans. http://www.travelairemot.com/models.php?model=MK800

keating

09-01-2010, 01:53 PM

When my wife wrote off our car on the highway three years ago, we got the bill for all Emergency response. Our Auto insurance covered it, thankfully.
The insurance company recovered it over a couple years with increased premiums.

Ongoing health care for someone with long term issues (paralyzed, coma, etc), it would depend where you live. In Canada, it would be the taxpayers burden. In the US, I guess, it would be the person at fault for the accident.

Sorry, but when folks don't take responsibility to buckle up, and end up quads or transported by chopper or dead - who is responsible for the cost? Who pays for the fire response? Who pays for the lifelong care? We all end up paying the tab. Accidents happen, of course, but responsibility is doing your part.