Car Seat in an Accident.

I would replace it. Better safe then sorry. The seat could have developed hair line cracks that you would not be able to see.

You should replace the car seat. The accident has put stress on the plastic it is made of and it will not hold up as well in another accident.

Yes it must get replaced and please do not use it. Insurance will cover the cost of a new car seat...NOT just what you paid for that particular one so you can get ANY car seat as a replacement. They are pretty quick also get your claim in today on the seat and they will get the money out to you. It is not safe to have a child in a seat that has been in an accident whether or not they were in it at the time. Any the insurance companies know this that is why they will replace them all.

Yes You absolutely have to get a new car seat. Your insurance company will pay for new one so make sure you tell them about the car seat.

I agree with all the posters saying to replace your car seat. However, I also was in an accident (without my child) and my insurance company (Country Insurance)said that they do not pay to replace the seat unless the child was in it at the time of accident. So I couldn't get reimbursed.

T.,

First, you should contact your carseat company to see if they advise you to get the seats replaced. Secondly, if they do need to be replaced, contact the insurance company of the person who hit you. They should cover the replacement cost! The insurance company or the carseat manufacturer will ask for the car seat - so hold onto it - DO NOT DISPOSE OF IT!!

This is what I have done in the past.

i think that the issue is more along the lines of the straps weakening in a major accident. how fast were you or the other driver going when the accident happened? were you using the car seat belt to hold in the seat or the LATCH system?

my thought is that if the kid wasnt in the seat, the harness in the car seat itself had not pressure on it, and so would not have any damage. if you were using latch, its possible that the straps had some pull on them, but your child wasnt in it, so even that would be minor.

what you should do is find the information on the car seat (especially if you have the book) and call the company. i would think that if they think there would be an issue with any of the latch straps, you might be able to order just that part to replace.

anyway, let me know if you have any questions, but i think that the car seat would be fine.

I would replace it even if he wasn't in it as long as it was hooked in the car it might have been strained from the seat belt. Insurance should pay for the replacement.

I believe you need to replace it, and I believe many car insurance plans cover the replacement of it. So call your insurance and ask; they may be able to help get it paid for by the other driver's insurance.

Yes, it needs to be replaced. Your insurance should cover it.

Do not use it. Your insurance will (SHOULD) cover the cost of a new one. Your child's safety could be compromised. I would NOT use it.
S.

the insurance company is required to replace the car seat, at least in california, so call them first.

Hi T.. glad you are okay. You could go to a local fire station and or hospital, they have employees that are certified to put in car seats and tell if things are wrong... They would for sure know.

S.

If you were hit hard enough to get hurt, you should get a new car seat. Car seat replacement isn't needed IF the accident occured less than 30mph, no airbag deployement, and no injuries. We were in an accident and our insurance was happy to replace the seat for us.

T.,

Most car seat manufacterers say a car seat in any car accident need to be replaced because they can have stress fractures in them. Britax has guidelines about whether or not to replace; basically a fender bender with no airbag deployment doesn't require a replacement but a "real" accident does. This is regardless of whether the child was in the car seat at the time. You can contact your car insurance company or the other driver's insurance about being reimbursed for a new seat.

Hope you are okay,
S.

T. -
To my understanding and you could call any police station that does the car seat safety to confirm, but if you have been in an accident (with or without your child) the car seat should be replaced. The plastic and the belts do still have some breakdown with the impact. Also, your car insurance may also cover it, or in this case the other persons' car insurance. Good luck, hope you get to feeling better soon and yes, THANK GOD you son wasn't with you.

The carseat needs to be replaced. They are only built to sustain one accident, and after that one, they are basically no good (although they appear fine). If you have renters / home owner's insurance, it usually covers the car seat. Although, I'm not sure what your deductible is and if it would be worth it or not.

.

If you were hit enough to be hurting, the car was damaged, I wouldn't take the risk that the seat wasn't damaged too. Let your insurance company know and they should hopefully pay for a new seat.
It's not worth the risk

EDITED TO ADD (because I see some not so great info in a few posts)- The ONLY car seat company that ask for a phone call about an accident is Britax. IF you don't own a Britax car seat, EVERY OTHER MANUFACTURER REQUIRES car seat replacement after even a minor crash. It will say this in the manual, but if you question it ,call the manufacturer. If you own a Graco, Cosco, Dorel, Eddie Bauer, etc they MUST BE REPLACED after eve na minor crash, per the manufacturer. They do not allow any use of the car seat after any crash, even a minor one.

Yes, it needs to be replaced and NOT USED AT ALL again. Purchase a new one ASAP and insurance should cover the costs through a reimbursement.

DIspose of the crashed seat. Remove the cover and cut the harness wit ha scissors and write 'DO NOT USE! IN CRASH' all over the plastic in permanent marker. THat way nobody will pull it out of the trash and try to use it, especially if hte cover is missing and you write the warning on it.

you have to replace it...sorry

ALWAYS replace a car seat after an accident. Especially if you were hit hard enough to sustain injuries and/or discomfort. I know this can be a pain, especially to the pocket book, but you will never get over it if you have another accident and your little one is hurt in the car seat in question.

Take care and hope you are feeling better soon!
J.

It depends on your insurance company. I was in a car accident but my daughter was not with me. I called State Farm and they told me to buy a new one and turn in my receipt to them. They sent me a check!
Good Luck!

you could call the manufacturer if you are curious, but yes, include the car seat in your insurance claim or spend the money to purchase one yourself...why risk it??