Car accident and car seats

momtoM&D

New member
Last month my husband was driving with our 4-year-old when a woman pulled out of a gas station right in front of him. He slammed on his brakes but was unable to stop in time and hit his front bumper into the side of her car. He says that by the time he hit her he was almost stopped so the impact was very low. We got the check from the insurance company yesterday and there was no inclusion for car seats. We're planning to call them and ask about it, but I'm wondering with that low of an impact if it's really necessary. Thoughts? My 4-y-o was restrained in his Nautilus, my 6-y-o's Apex 65 was installed but not in use.
 
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loverbugsmommy

New member
Every car seat manual Ive ever read states to replace all car seats if in an accident, I believe you have to specifically let the insurance company that you had car seats to get the replacement money. My one friend was in an accident this winter and her insurance company stated she had to purchase the seats first, then they reimbursed her.
 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Dorel and Graco say that seats need to be replaced after *any* collision. Since it was collision enough that you involved insurance, then yes, I would definitely replace both seats.

Wendy
 

wendytthomas

Admin - CPST Instructor
Staff member
Every car seat manual Ive ever read states to replace all car seats if in an accident, I believe you have to specifically let the insurance company that you had car seats to get the replacement money. My one friend was in an accident this winter and her insurance company stated she had to purchase the seats first, then they reimbursed her.

Not all. Britax, Combi, and the Sunshine Kids Monterey (and maybe a Recaro?) allow for reuse following a minor collision, as set by the NHTSA's criteria.

Wendy
 

luckyclov

New member
The bulk of child seat manufacturers require replacement of the restraint after ANY crash...and that does mean ANY crash.

A very few child seat manufacturers allow re-use after a "minor" crash per NHTSA's criteria - ALL criteria must be met, however. Britax, Combi, Sunshine Kids Monterey (NOT the Radian) are the only ones I know of off-hand.

The criteria is here:

NHTSA recommends that child safety seats be replaced following a moderate or severe crash in order to ensure a continued high level of crash protection for child passengers.


NHTSA recommends that child safety seats do not automatically need to be replaced following a minor crash.


Minor crashes are those that meet ALL of the following criteria:

The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;


The vehicle door nearest the safety seat was undamaged;


There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;


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


There is no visible damage to the safety seat

Source: http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/childps/childrestraints/reuse/restraintreuse.htm

(and maybe a Recaro?)
Well...my ProRIDE manual says to discontinue use after a "severe" crash on page 4. And that it must be replaced after a crash or vehicle accident and not used again on page 5.
 

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