Most parents know that children need to be in car seats if they’re young and meet the requirements. These seats are designed to protect children during a crash, but their safety features can be compromised if they’re in an accident. Even if the car seat still looks fine, internal damage may make it less effective.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that parents should replace car seats after moderate or severe crashes, but that it’s not really necessary after a minor one. A crash is considered minor if all the following are true. No one was injured, airbags didn’t deploy, the vehicle could be driven away and the car door nearest to the seat didn’t sustain damage.
Why is it important to replace a car seat after a crash?
Car seats absorb the force of the crash so that the child’s body doesn’t have to. Moderate to severe crashes can harm the integrity of the seat’s shell or the harness system. Each car seat manufacturer has their own specifications for when a car seat needs to be replaced. If there’s any doubt about the safety of the car seat or the severity of the crash, it’s typically best to replace the seat.
Car crashes can lead to significant injuries for any occupant of the vehicle, including the children. It’s imperative to get medical care right away to address those injuries. This can be costly, particularly if the injuries are serious. It’s possible for you to seek compensation from the negligent party, but the time is limited to do this. Working with someone familiar with these matters may be beneficial, so you can focus on healing while that individual gets the case moving forward.
