Is it *Really* Safe to Re-use Seats After an Accident

cat mommy

New member
I was rear ended on the highway going about 30 mph. The Britaxes were not occupied. This was not a fender bender by any means--I was slammed into the seat and was very lucky I didn't spin out of control. My trunk door needs to be replaced. The airbags did not go off. And I was not hurt--but I would have been had I not been wearing my seatbelt.

It's making me very nervous to re-use these because this was not a small accident. It was just purely fortuitous that the damage to my car was not much worse.
 
ADS

CTPDMom

Ambassador - CPS Technician
If you drove away from the scene, then the accident meets the 'minor' criteria for reuse. If your seats were Britax seats, then they say they can be reused.

But regardless of what NHTSA or Britax says, if *you* aren't comfortable with reuse, then replace the seats.

And since you were struck from behind, I'm assuming the other person was cited for the accident and entirely at fault. You can request they replace the seats. If they fight it you might not be able to win, but you can try. And if you don't win, at least your kids will be in seats you feel comfortable with, no matter who had to pay for them.
 

Brigala

CPST Instructor
Maybe some invisible damage could be helped along to be made more visible? :whistling:
 

cat mommy

New member
Fortunately, the other driver was cited. I wouldn't even have a clue as to how to look for stress marks on the seats? What am I looking for?
 

Pixels

New member
Stress marks are discolorations in the plastic, usually white or whitish. Stress marks show up much easier on light-colored plastic and are very difficult to see on black or very dark shells. Look especially around the harness slots, the tether attachment points, the belt path. Also look for scuffing from the belt in the belt path.
 

CTPDMom

Ambassador - CPS Technician
Stress marks are discolorations in the plastic, usually white or whitish. Stress marks show up much easier on light-colored plastic and are very difficult to see on black or very dark shells. Look especially around the harness slots, the tether attachment points, the belt path. Also look for scuffing from the belt in the belt path.

Take a straw and bend it...where it's bent you see a discoloration...that's a 'stress mark'. :)
 

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