Car Seat in Crash Question

[pageta]

I read the guidelines for a car seat not needing to be replaced when in a crash...

*The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;
it had to be towed

* The vehicle door nearest the child restraint was undamaged;
yes

* There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;
true

* The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND
the bags did deploy

* There is no visible damage to the child restraint.
true



So technically, according to those guidelines the seats should be replaced. I was on hold with Britax for a half hour but never got to ask anyone these questions:

(1) What if the children were not in the car (car seats were empty)? According to the website, you are not eligible to participate in the Voluntary Crashed Restraint Exchange if children were not in the seats at the time of the crash. Does that mean I don't need to replace them either?

(2) True nature of the crash - approx 25 mph, I snagged the bumper of a car that was parked so my car spun around 90 degrees and the front tire at the site of the impact was flat and at an odd angle, thus necessitating that the car be towed. If the wheel wouldn't have been at an odd angle, I certainly could have driven the car.



So...do I need to replace my two Britax ($$$$) car seats?

Thanks!

[Jwebbal]

(1) What if the children were not in the car (car seats were empty)? According to the website, you are not eligible to participate in the Voluntary Crashed Restraint Exchange if children were not in the seats at the time of the crash. Does that mean I don't need to replace them either?

(2) True nature of the crash - approx 25 mph, I snagged the bumper of a car that was parked so my car spun around 90 degrees and the front tire at the site of the impact was flat and at an odd angle, thus necessitating that the car be towed. If the wheel wouldn't have been at an odd angle, I certainly could have driven the car.



So...do I need to replace my two Britax ($$$$) car seats?

Don't talk to Britax (sounds like you can't participate in their program), talk to your insurance company.

[mirabai]

I agree- many insurance companies will cover the cost of a new car seat. One of our cars was stolen and totaled last year. Insurance bought us a new car seat.

[Amris]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that an empty carseat in a 25 mph crash is not likely to need replaced.

But then again, who am I?

Oh, and almost anyone you speak to will tell you to replace them. If you listen to them and don't replace them, and you have a crash later at higher speeds, you might sue them if there's even a tiny bit of damage to them.

For liability reasons, no one, anywhere (except some idiot on the internet like me) is ever going to tell you not to replace them.

[thepeach80]

I don't think I'd replace it either. Britax follows those rules that you posted so if you asked them, they'd probably say keep it.

[ThreeBeans]

I would absolutely replace it. Britax isn't saying it doesn't need to be replaced, they're saying you don't qualify for the voluntary exchange program. Whether or not seats are occupied, if any one of those four points isn't true, the seat MUST be replaced. Get on the phone with your insurance company

[pageta]

I only had liability on my car so the insuance company does not cover my losses - the car and potentially the car seats.

If I had just bought a car seat and it was in the trunk of my car in the box and I had an accident, would I replace it? Especially in a crash like this, it might have gotten bumped, but I don't think any damage would have been done.

I mean, if a car seat is damaged in a crash like this without anything in it, of what use would it be if a child was actually in it? I really don't think they're all that fragile - especially Britax.

Just more thoughts...

[lasciate]

Without a doubt, replace them. Your insurance should pay for it, regardless of whether they were occupied or not. Remember to replace any occupied seatbelts as well (including any that were restraining the carseats).

[dallaschildren]

Originally Posted by pageta

I read the guidelines for a car seat not needing to be replaced when in a crash...

*The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;
it had to be towed

* The vehicle door nearest the child restraint was undamaged;
yes

* There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;
true

* The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND
the bags did deploy

* There is no visible damage to the child restraint.
true



So technically, according to those guidelines the seats should be replaced. I was on hold with Britax for a half hour but never got to ask anyone these questions:

(1) What if the children were not in the car (car seats were empty)? According to the website, you are not eligible to participate in the Voluntary Crashed Restraint Exchange if children were not in the seats at the time of the crash. Does that mean I don't need to replace them either?

(2) True nature of the crash - approx 25 mph, I snagged the bumper of a car that was parked so my car spun around 90 degrees and the front tire at the site of the impact was flat and at an odd angle, thus necessitating that the car be towed. If the wheel wouldn't have been at an odd angle, I certainly could have driven the car.



So...do I need to replace my two Britax ($$$$) car seats?

Thanks!

Yes. Replace them. As ThreeBeans said you may not qualify for the Britax replacement program, but you should still replace the seats and file on your insurance for replacement. By your own admission, some of the crash criteria for replacement was met so they indeed need to be replaced. Granted, they were not occupied so technically the harness straps weren't stretched but this most certainly doesn't mean that the shell wasn't stressed. I wouldn't take the chance. Your vehicle experienced damage and you are getting that fixed, correct? That is visual....you can visibly see the damage. When debating potential future crash worthiness of a car seat that has already been in a collision, there may not be damage you can see.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/inju...raintReUse.htm

Your crash was considerate "moderate" to "severe" by NHTSA standards which necessitates replacement.

You said that your estimated speed right before the collision was 25 mph. Multiple the weight of any objects in the car times 25 and you will have the pounds of restraining force it took your vehicle belts to restrain your car seats, and your own belt to restrain you.

Dallaschildren
CPS Instructor and momma to 2 sons in seats

[mama2mygirl]

I'd replace them.

[dallaschildren]

Originally Posted by pageta

I only had liability on my car so the insuance company does not cover my losses - the car and potentially the car seats.

If I had just bought a car seat and it was in the trunk of my car in the box and I had an accident, would I replace it? Especially in a crash like this, it might have gotten bumped, but I don't think any damage would have been done.

I mean, if a car seat is damaged in a crash like this without anything in it, of what use would it be if a child was actually in it? I really don't think they're all that fragile - especially Britax.

I can imagine the financial strain this may end up being on you, however your car seats weren't in a box. They were buckled into your vehicle and experienced crash forces just as you did. The fact that they were not occupied shouldn't even be a consideration if you are trying to decide whether or not to replace them. Car seats are not designed to last through multiple collisions and incredible crash forces. Please don't justify away the risk. Err on the side of caution. These are your kids.

DC

[CaraNicole]

fak

be safe...if you should get into a wreck again, and your kids seats did not work you would never forgive yourself...i don't think i would take the chance!

[thepeach80]

Originally Posted by thepeach80

I don't think I'd replace it either. Britax follows those rules that you posted so if you asked them, they'd probably say keep it.

I missed that the airbags DID deploy. Then yes, I'd replace.

[Monkeyfeet]

Originally Posted by pageta

IIf I had just bought a car seat and it was in the trunk of my car in the box and I had an accident, would I replace it? Especially in a crash like this, it might have gotten bumped, but I don't think any damage would have been done.

...

I unfortunately had to deal with re-placing of the seats twice now

When your vehicle is hit, the straps strain against the carseat causing damage. The carseat can then become brittle an eventually break.

It would not have the same thing happen in your trunk.

The insurance company paid for my last one and I was stopped and the driver of the other car was only going 15mph. Our airbags did not deploy and my car was drivable. They did not even question it when I asked to have the seat covered.