Car accidents often leave you with many questions and concerns. If you had a car seat in your vehicle, you may be wondering, do car seats need to be replaced after an accident? The answer depends on the details of the accident.
After a collision, you can count on Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer to answer your questions and help you navigate each step of the recovery process, from replacing your car seat to pursuing compensation for your losses.
Should Car Seats Be Replaced After an Accident?
There aren’t any actual laws for car seat replacement after an accident in Arizona. But it’s still strongly recommended for your child’s safety. According to the NHTSA, you should always replace a car seat if it was involved in a “moderate to severe” crash. For a collision to be a “minor” accident, all of the following must apply:
- The vehicle is drivable after the crash
- The door closest to the car seat is not damaged
- No passengers in the car suffered injuries in the accident
- The airbags in the vehicle did not deploy
- The car seat has no visible damage
If all of these guidelines apply to you, the accident is considered minor. There’s likely no damage, so there’s probably no need to replace the car seat after a minor accident. However, you should always follow the car seat manufacturer’s instructions. It’s best to contact the manufacturer of your specific car seat if you aren’t sure if it needs to be replaced.
If one or more of these guidelines apply, the accident is considered a moderate or severe crash. It is crucial to replace the car seat after a moderate or severe accident to provide your child with the best protection. You should immediately stop using the car seat, dispose of it, and purchase a new one.
Your insurance company or the at-fault party’s insurance may reimburse you for the cost of purchasing a new car seat. An experienced car accident attorney can help you determine if this is possible and file a claim for you.
Why Is It Important to Replace Your Car Seat After an Accident?
The primary function of a car seat is to keep your child safe in case of an accident. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IHS), putting your child in an appropriate car seat rather than relying on a seat belt significantly reduces injuries and death in an accident. An appropriate car seat is suitable for your child’s age, size, and weight.
Car seats are specially designed to protect children during a crash. If the car seat is damaged, either internally or externally, this reduces the level of protection it may provide. That’s why it’s essential to replace a car seat right away after a serious car accident, even if it doesn’t appear damaged.
Injured in an Arizona Car Accident? Contact Our Experienced Phoenix Car Accident Attorneys
Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer focuses exclusively on helping injured clients. This allows us to provide high-quality legal representation after an accident. When you work with us, you can expect to have a dedicated, communicative, and compassionate team on your side. We can help you with every detail of your case, including your options for car seat replacement after an accident.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, we want to help. Contact us today for a free case review.
