As a parent, you would do anything to protect your child. However, after a car accident, in the hustle and bustle of managing your personal injury claim and coping with your injuries, it can be easy to overlook your child’s car seat. Is it important to replace a car seat after an accident? You should know that safety experts and government agencies recommend replacing your child’s car seat after an accident. Even minor crashes can compromise the integrity of a car seat and put your child’s safety at risk.
The car accident lawyers at The Wilhite Law Firm want to ensure you have the information you need to keep you and your family safe following a Colorado car accident. While you may already have a lot on your plate, understanding the importance of car seats and when it is time to replace a seat in an accident can protect your child and help prevent significant injuries.
Should a Car Seat Be Replaced After a ‘Minor’ Accident?
The answer is simple: Yes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends replacing child safety seats following any moderate to severe car accident. After minor car accidents, you may not need to run out and replace your child’s car seat, the NHTSA states. However, inspecting your child’s seat after a minor collision is still a good idea. You should look for cracks, dents, and other damage signs. You can also use this time to inspect your child’s car seat for everyday wear and tear that may compromise safety.
Why Is a Car Seat Replacement Necessary After a Car Accident?
Even minor motor vehicle accidents can be violent events. Child safety seats protect small children from the full force of a violent impact. When a crash occurs, the car seat’s plastic shell and foam lining absorb some of the force of the collision and cushion the child, helping protect the child from significant trauma. However, when absorbing the force of an impact, the car seat can lose some of its structural integrity. As a result, the seat may fail to protect your child in subsequent collisions, which makes replacing the car seat critical.
Take time to inspect your child’s car seat following an accident, taking special care to look for the following issues:
- Plastic shell — Cracks, dents, and fractures in the seat’s plastic shell are among the most obvious signs that you must replace your child’s seat following a crash. The hard shell helps absorb the brunt of the impact during the crash. So, even minor imperfections and fractures can reduce the effectiveness of the safety seat.
- Foam lining — The foam lining of a car seat acts like a shock absorber, cushioning the child during an impact and preventing them from hitting the hard plastic shell. Significant accidents can compress the foam, meaning it may not return to its original state, compromising the seat’s safety in subsequent crashes. Loss of cushioning can also make the seat more uncomfortable.
- Harness and buckle — The harness and buckle should be snug and secure. You must replace the seat if the clip or any buckle elements are bent or do not lock and engage. Also, look for rips, tears, or fraying of the strap material.
Does State Law Require Car Seats to Be Replaced After an Accident?
No. Colorado law does not require replacing a car seat following a motor vehicle accident. However, safety experts and government agencies strongly recommend inspecting your child’s seat following a collision and replacing it after a significant crash. Even minor accidents can sometimes lead to minor damage that may reduce safety. It is always better to be safe rather than sorry.
When Is It Safe to Reuse a Car Seat After an Accident?
Government recommendations suggest that reusing a car seat following a minor collision may be safe. How do you know if a car accident is minor? The NHTSA has a list of guidelines that can help you determine if the accident is mild enough to potentially go without replacing your child’s safety seat.
Following a car accident, check for the following:
- The vehicle can safely be driven away from the crash site.
- The vehicle door nearest to the car seat was not damaged.
- The driver and passengers did not suffer any injuries.
- The car seat has no visible damage.
- The vehicle’s airbags did not deploy.
If the collision meets these guidelines, and you were involved in a minor car accident, you may not need to replace your child’s car seat. However, if you have doubts or concerns about safety, you should promptly replace it.
How Should You Dispose of a Car Seat After an Accident?
If you must replace your child’s car seat, what do you do with the old one? First, never offer friends or family members a hand-me-down car seat that was involved in an accident. See if you have a car seat recycling center nearby. The Colorado Department of Transportation lists several sites in Denver and surrounding areas that recycle old, damaged, and outdated car seats.
If you must throw it out, follow these steps:
- Cut all straps.
- Remove all foam lining.
- Write “Damaged” or Do Not Use” on it with a permanent marker.
- Removable pieces are removed and placed in a dark trash bag.
- Throw the bag and components in the trash.
The City of Denver also has information on car seat disposal and solid waste collection schedules.
Will My Car Insurance Pay to Replace the Car Seat?
Car seats are mandatory in most jurisdictions across the United States. Since parents must adequately secure their children in safe seats while driving, most insurance companies cover replacing these essential safety devices following an accident. It depends on the terms of your auto insurance policy.
Before you toss or recycle the seat, collect the brand, model, and other identifying information and include this information in your insurance claim.
Contact a Colorado Car Accident Lawyer
Talk to an experienced car accident attorney in Colorado as soon as possible. Our lawyers have the legal knowledge and proven record of success to take on your case. At The Wilhite Law Firm, we will look out for the best interests of you and your family. Let us review your claim and help you pursue maximum compensation for your car injuries and other losses. Contact us today and request a free consultation about your car accident case.
