Should we have replaced seats?

Anne

New member
I was rear ended a couple weeks ago. It was very minor. Zero damage to my car, his just had a bent license plate. My friend and I were shook up, but fine. The girls acted fine.

So I didn't really consider it to be a replace-worthy accident. It couldn't have been too hard of a hit for there to be no damage whatsoever. But I wasn't thinking about the one part of the NHTSA guidelines that says NO injuries. Nothing serious, but I had a raging headache for 2-3 days after and had to take tylenol a few times to manage it. I also had some back aches, but I'm pg, so who knows which caused that. My friend said she was a bit sore, but no specific complaints. Neither of the girls complained of anything, other than her girl saying "owie" immediately after.

So we did nothing about the seats. And now I'm second guessing that due to possible "injuries". I will so kick myself if I've been letting our girls ride around in unsafe seats. I'm a tech, I really should know the answer to this, and should have thought of all of this before now, but I swear this pg brain is going to do me in. :cool:

And if it's borderline, both girls were riding in "replace after any crash" seats. It just seemed to hardly qualify as a crash to me at all with no damage. :eek:

Would you replace?
 
ADS

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
If your friend and you were both sore, I'd say there was some transfer of forces. If it was like, no one's belt locked, no one was sore after, it was like you went over a speed bump a bit fast? I'd say don't bother. If someone's sore... then yeah, it might be a crash, I'd say it's possible you should go with "better safe than sorry." I don't think it's likely your seats were damaged enough to catastrophically fail in a serious crash, but... that's your decision to make. You could call the manufacturers and see what they say.
 

Anne

New member
It felt like a lot more than a speed bump or hitting the brakes. There was a definite jerk and I'm pretty sure we moved forward several feet.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
If you moved that much, well, I'd use the seats while waiting for replacements, but if they are replace-after-any seats, yeah, if it was me I'd probably replace.
 

cowgirlsmommy

New member
If you were sore, I would replace. Did you have your car checked over for damage by a body shop? I had something similar happen last week and found out there was a lot more damage to my car than I thought.
 

Anne

New member
No, we didn't have the car checked at a shop. I'll talk to DH about that when he gets home.

Is it too late to file a claim for the seats? Is it even worth filing just for seats if there's no damage to the car? I don't know UT policy or if our premium will go up from filing even though I wasn't at fault. If it might, I'd rather just buy a new seat.
 

Anne

New member
It would be two seats, but my friend's DD was in a Scenera, so not a high cost seat. I'd be willing to give her the money to replace if we choose not to file.
 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob
Staff member
Your deductible might apply, depending on the circumstances (I don't know if Utah is a shared-fault state or what.) I'd hold off on asking for the car seats to be replaced until you've checked on the car. (Meaning, you can replace them and keep the receipts- but I'd hold off until you see what costs if any you're going to have for the car. If it's substantial enough to file, I'd add the car seats. If not, then I wouldn't.)
 

Pixels

New member
I agree with having your vehicle checked. DH was rear-ended once, his vehicle appeared perfectly fine but all the energy-absorbing foam under the bumper cover was crushed. It's a lot like EPS foam, one time use and it has to be replaced. It was several hundred dollars.

As for your crash or not? How would you feel about getting in another crash with your kids in those seats? Would you be second-guessing yourself then? Since you are second-guessing yourself right now, I suspect the answer is yes. Then I suggest replacing for peace of mind.
 

Brigala

CPST Instructor
Even if they weren't replace-after-any-accident seats, I'd replace them based on your description. If you and your friend both felt sore or had pain afterwards, you can't blame that all on pregnancy pain. If you were injured (even mildly), your seats might have been injured, too.

I don't think I'd bother with insurance if you're sure your car wasn't damaged. The thing is, depending on where your car was hit, the fact that the car wasn't damaged probably meant you (and the car seats!) had MORE force transferred to you, because the car didn't absorb much. Apparently you weren't hit in a crumple zone.

The good news is that car seats cost less to replace than body work, usually.

By the way, my Costco has Onside Air seats on sale for $48 right now. Maybe your friend would like to "upgrade" to a "Scenera with air cushions" :)
 

Anne

New member
DH is going to take the car in to be checked out. He's on board with buying a new seat and waiting to see if it will be worth filing a claim or not. So tomorrow's project for me is deciding on a seat for DD and finding out how my friend wants to handle things. Neither of us have a Costco membership, though.
 

Brigala

CPST Instructor
I bet you can find a friend with a membership... maybe even someone on this board who's nearby.
 

Carrie_R

Ambassador - CPS Technician
I don't think I'm nearby or I would be happy to help. Post in CMCB and see if anyone in your area has a membership?
 

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Forum statistics

Threads
219,655
Messages
2,196,895
Members
13,530
Latest member
onehitko860

You must read your carseat and vehicle owner’s manual and understand any relevant state laws. These are the rules you must follow to restrain your children safely. All opinions at Car-Seat.Org are those of the individual author for informational purposes only, and do not necessarily reflect any policy or position of Carseat Media LLC. Car-Seat.Org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. If you are unsure about information provided to you, please visit a local certified technician. Before posting or using our website you must read and agree to our TERMS.

Graco is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Britax is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org! Nuna Baby is a Proud Sponsor of Car-Seat.Org!

Please  Support Car-Seat.Org  with your purchases of infant, convertible, combination and boosters seats from our premier sponsors above.
Shop travel systems, strollers and baby gear from Britax, Chicco, Clek, Combi, Evenflo, First Years, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Safety 1st, Diono & more! ©2001-2022 Carseat Media LLC

Top