Being involved in a crash when you have your children in the vehicle with you is traumatic for you and them. Your first thought will rightly be to make sure they’re safe and not injured. Once you do this, you may start to think about more practical matters.
While some parents may think about whether the car seat is safe or not, others may not even consider this after a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has very clear guidelines about when you need to replace a car seat after a crash.
Minor crashes don’t require car seat replacement
You need to replace a car seat after a moderate or severe crash. The only way you can avoid replacing it is if all of these points are true:
- No damage to the car seat
- No airbags deployed
- You could drive the vehicle after the crash
- No damage to the door nearest to the car seat
- No injuries to any occupant in your vehicle
Even if the crash meets the NHTSA’s guidelines for being a minor crash, you should still check the manufacturer’s guidelines for replacing a specific car seat after a wreck. Your child’s safety must be the priority here.
One of the most important things you can do after a crash is to ensure that everyone gets medical care if needed. You can opt to pursue a claim for compensation if the other driver’s negligence was the cause of the crash. Include expenses from obtaining medical care and the income you missed out on earning due to the injuries. Working with someone familiar with these matters can help you get your claim filed before the legal deadline passes.
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