do you need new car seats after an accident?

[Unregistered]

I got into a car accident this past weekend. My two year old son was in his seat. Thanksfully he is fine. I rear ended another car. We were going less than 20 mph and the airbags didn't go off. I wasn't sure if I am suppose to replace his seat or not. I tried to find guidelines to when the seat should be replaced,but can't find anything. He was in the back behind the passenger seat and the car behind me did not hit us. So is it still safe for him to be in that seat or should I replace it? Thanks:)

[papooses]

I was told that all seats involved in any crash are supposed to be replaced by the insurance provider. NHTSA has some guidelines about reusing seats involved in a minor crash, but from I've heard it's generally advized that the seat always be replaced. When we were in a similar accident last year my insurance company didn't offer to replace the seat & I didn't know they were supposed to - it wasn't until few months ago that I found out it was not so safe to use the seat anymore so I called my provider to complain & they sent a "customer appreciation" check that I used towards buying a new seat. I know there are some links on this isuse, but I don't have them on hand at the moment - hopefully others do ;)

[joolsplus3]

Call your car seat manufacturer to get their final word. It sounds like you WILL want to replace it (because it was occupied during the crash, particularly, and better safe than sorry, IMO), and if they can give you a written statement saying so, you can present that to your insurance company as definitive proof and get a new seat paid for.
I hope YOU aren't in any long lasting pain, by the way, that must have been kind of scary, too!

Best of luck,

[Unregistered]

Thanks. I didn't even think to call the car seat company. The police officer told me that we should but it throughthe insurance company as well. I am ok. My stomach is sore but that is because I am 36 weeks pregnant and I was wearing my seatbelt. We were on our way to buy a new base for the babies seat because since having my first son we have gotten a car with LATCH! So that was ironic. I will call the car seat company. Thanks so much:)

[papooses]

Glad to hear you & both your babies are OK! :)

[Unregistered]

I talked to my insurance company and they said that we can claim that on our report. We are getting the car estimated today to see if it's going to be less tha our deductable. But I called Evenflo too and they suggest changing the seat as well. Expecially b/c my son was in it. Thanks though I didnt think it would need to be changed only because we were going slow and I rear ended her. But now I know thanks:)