If you have been involved in an accident and your child was in the car seat?

Question

My cousin was involved in an accident and her child was in the car in her car seat. Is there a law that once a car seat has been involved in an accident that it has to be replaced for the safety of the child?

Answer 1

Carseats should be replaced after most accidents.  Britax is the only company that says their seats are reusable after a minor accident.  The carseat manual should say this and most insurance companies cover the replacement cost.

Answer 2

First answer is correct but you need to take it to the fire department and let them inspect it for you.....

Answer 3

It is usually NOT safe to use a car seat after its been in an accident. And there is NO place that can 'check' your car seat for damage, its not possible. They'd have to be able to see inside the seat!

As for law - in several states there are now laws that a car seat that has been in an accident can not be sold, so that tells you that they realize it shouldn't be used again, but no, most places do not have a law saying you must replace after an accident. But, then again, there's no law that a pregnant woman can't smoke. Doesn't mean that its ok. Here's the guidelines from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association that Britax follows (all other brands say you must replace after any accident):

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/c...

Answer 4

No As long as the car seat has not been damaged it is completely resuseable. There is no law . But you can check with your local DMV.

Answer 5

No you don't have to replace the car seat , unless the car seat became defective as a result of the car accident ! But otherwise, there is no such law !

Answer 6

there is no law, but it is a safety concern.

any accident can cause non visible damage to the car seat.  this can make it deadly in the event of another accident.

she should just get a new one for her child's safety.