Car seat question - accident-related

[mamalita]

My DS and I were in a car accident two weeks ago. We were rear-ended at the base of a clover while yielding/waiting to merge (the woman drove down the curve and slammed into us while we were stopped).

Aside from terrifying DS (and me, quite honestly) she did some pretty extensive damage to the back of our small car. I am SO thankful that DS wasn't physically hurt. He already goes to a chiropractor regularly to help with constipation issues, and she confirmed he was "okay".

So here's my question, the man who will be fixing our car mentioned to my DH that DS' carseat should be replaced since it was in an accident. This seems logical now that I think of it, but neither the state police officer, the fire dept., nor the county police officer (who were all on the scene at various times) mentioned this to me. Anyone have any personal experience, web sites, etc. that they could share so I can confirm? TIA!

Oh, DS is 3 yrs. 10 mos. by the way.

[Shelsi]

Ok I don't have a link for you so I was hoping someone else would hop in and answer. The general answer though is that yes the seat should be replaced and the insurance company of whoever is at fault should pay for it. Hopefully someone will have a good link for you. Call the company that made the seat and ask them about it they will probably say it needs to be replaced. If the insurance company gives you the run around just ask for a written letter from them certifying that even though your carseat has been in an accident they believe it to be safe and still useable and will be liable for any injuries resulting from the car seat being faulty....they'll give you your new carseat asap

[toddlermama16]

Police officers and the like aren't always really informed about carseats. Yes, you do need to have the seat replaced.

Here are the guidelines for *NOT* replacing restraints that are in crashes:

Must meet ALL criteria!


-A visual inspection of the child safety seat, including inspection under any easily movable seat padding, does not reveal any cracks or deformation that might have been caused by the crash;

-The vehicle in which the child safety seat was installed was capable of being driven from the crash scene;

-The vehicle door nearest the child safety seat was undamaged;

-There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants; and

-The air bags (if any) did not deploy.

http://www.800bucklup.org/parent/rep...r%20crash.html

I hope this helps! I'm glad you two are okay.

Kelli

[MamaBug]

I have always heard that you should not buy a used car seat in case it's been in an accident. I have also heard you should get a new one if you are in an accident. I would probably just go and get a new one, but that is just overprotective me.

[frowningfrog]

My uncle is a Police detective. His station works extensively for car safety.
Their guidelines...
NEVER buy a used car seat unless you know the history and have it checked out first.
ALWAYS change the seat after ANY type of accident..

Sorry no web site for you.

[Trishy]

It should be in your seat's manual. Also, you should call the manufacturer of your seat, describe the accident and damage to your car and they will let you know if it needs to be replaced. They will usually send a letter that you can turn into the insurance company stating that the seat needs to be replaced so you can be reimbursed. From your description of the accident I would feel inclined to replace the seat, unless the manufacturer assured me it was safe to use. Here is a link:
http://www.carseat.org/Resources/FAQs.htm#replace

[Joannarachel]

Yes, the car seat needs to be replaced. Your insurance (or hers) should cover it. If you own a Britax, they will replace it for free

[thepeach80]

If you own a Britax, they will replace it for free

Only if she was in a severe crash. Insurance agencies generally will just replace it w/ no problems, you just need to tell her insurance you had a carseat in the car. We just had to go buy a new one and then they reimbursed us.

[Kathryn]

Originally Posted by Joannarachel

If you own a Britax, they will replace it for free

Not true. We were in a severe crash just two months after buying our Britax. I did everything they said, sent them pictures, detailed the crash, etc.. and they said no. What they do is take the carseats that they need to do research on to see how they react in a paticular type of crash. If they've already done research on that kind of crash, you're out of luck and they won't replace it. Turns out they had already done research on our type of crash and they refused to replace our carseat.

Our insurance also wouldn't pay for it either so we had to buy a whole new one. This was after the prices on the Britax went up, of course.

[Eman'smom]

The insurance should replace them.

[mamalita]

Thanks so much for the responses everyone! Since we now do not have a car/are not driving we have a few weeks to get this together. Another overprotective mama here - replacing his seat is a given.

And thanks for mentioning that the woman's insurance should pay for it. I've never been in a car accident before so all this stuff is new to me (not in a good way : ).

I appreciate the help mamas!

[mamalita]

Thanks so much for the responses everyone! Since we now do not have a car/are not driving we have a few weeks to get this together. Another overprotective mama here - replacing his seat will be a given.

And thanks for mentioning that the woman's insurance should pay for it. I've never been in a car accident before so all this stuff is new to me (not in a good way : ).

I appreciate the help mamas!

[mamalita]

I'm sorry, I tried to delete my double post but somehow just messed things up even more. What can I say, it's 1 AM and I think I should just be zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

[octobermom]

You need to also have the belts and latch system of your car (depending on what you were using) checked out and possibly replaced. These are basically only made to withstand one crash. (unless the cars undrivable of course)

Deanna

[brendamr]

Most police departments now have specific officers who have special carseat training. If you contact your PD, you shoul dbe able to get something official stating that your need a new carseat. Just in case the insurance company balks.

[dallaschildren]

And remember to have all seatbelts in use at the time of the wreck replaced even if restraining an empty car seat.

Dallaschildren
CPS tech/instructor and momma to 2 sons in seats