What to do in an accident...

MommytoJAM

New member
So I'm brand new to this forum, and hopefully I'm posting this question in the right section.:eek:

My question is: I've been thinking, God forbid I get in an accident with my LO in the car, but if it happens, what do I do? Do I leave him in the car seat until an ambulance arrives? Even if the accident is not that severe, should I call for an ambulance anyway, to make sure my LO is okay? And what if it's a fender bender that doesn't require medical treatment, car being towed, etc. - would the car seat technically be unsafe at that point? Would it be safe to drive home with him in that car seat? I've only been in one car accident in my life, long before DS was born. The car was totaled and had to be towed, but I was perfectly fine. I just got to thinking, what on earth would I have done if I'd had a LO with me!:confused:
 
ADS

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Welcome.

If he requires medical attention, then yes, leave him in the seat if you can. They'll just strap him into it and it'll help hold his spine. Now if somehow he's bleeding out his back and you need to take him out to stop the bleeding, then do that, but if you can, leave him in.

The seat is unsafe to use after any collision (unless it's a Britax, which allows for minor collisions. There are one or two other seats that allow for minor, but I can't remember what they are now). If your car is drivable, you drive home, then replace the seat before you go out again. Or if you're near a store, you can stop and buy a new seat right away. If it's someone else's fault, their insurance will pay for a new seat.

If it's SO minor that it's really a question of if it's a crash at all, then the seat is likely just fine. Like you're backing out and you hit a signpost at 3 mph. Technically yes, it's a crash, but is it really?

Wendy
 

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