car seat ?

joyfultrex

DH was rear ended on the way home tonight with P in the car. They are both okay, but I wonder about his seat. He was stopped on an off ramp waiting to yield onto the next road and the car behind him hit him. The car probably wasn't going more than 5 mph. Didn't even leave a mark on the back on DH car. Do we need to throw out the car seat now? I know the rule is if in an accident get a new one. Are there ever any exceptions? This was a seriously minor accident.

Worst part was after he was hit the car behind him made an illegal left and drove away. DH is beyond mad. Everyone makes mistakes, but you need to do the right thing.

We were going to get him a convertible for DH car soon anyway, but DH likes the bucket and we hoped to use it for the next kid.

mrshudson618

Well, if the other driver hadnt been an ass, I would say absolutely get a new one,as their insurance would have paid for it. (Yours will too, but I would rather pay for the seat myself than file the claim)

nanabanana06

What seat is it? There are very few seats where you can get away with keeping the seat.

joyfultrex

nanaosaki06 said:

What seat is it? There are very few seats where you can get away with keeping the seat.

it is a chicco key fit

Rrrrrachel

Personally I would follow the nhtsa guidelines. I figure they're the ones that crash test the seats, after all, and the manufacturers are the ones trying to sell as many seats as possible. That's an unpopular opinion in certain car seat circles, though, and ultimately you have to do what let's you sleep at night.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/childps/childrestraints/reuse/restraintreuse.htm

nanabanana06

Yeah, there is the NHTSA thing. However, unless you have a Britax seat almost all companies will tell you to replace the seat. There are a few exceptions, but for the most part companies will tell you to replace. Personally, I'd just get a convertible sooner than expected and cut the straps on that seat. Maybe just use it until the next Trade in Event at BRU in the coming month.

flummadiddle85

mrshudson618 said:

Well, if the other driver hadnt been an ass, I would say absolutely get a new one,as their insurance would have paid for it. (Yours will too, but I would rather pay for the seat myself than file the claim)

But you're not at fault so shouldn't see any premium increases. The base was in the car when DH was in an accident,and insurance paid for a new one. The crashed one is sitting in the basement waiting for a BRU trade in event.

nanabanana06

I'd give it to her as long as she knows she'll need to get a convertible by December.

nanabanana06

Yeah, then no I wouldn't do that. I've been stuck in situations like that. I've just purchased cheap seats for them if I don't have any coupons or seats in my garage. You can easily pick up an infant seat for around 50$ at Walmart. Like this one: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Evenflo-Nurture-Infant-Car-Seat-Sage/33688328. I sometimes will have new Cosco APT's to donate or give if needed, I don't ATM or I'd ship one to you.

violajack

The seat isn't going to spontaneously combust on the day it expires. I could see a seat that spent its whole life in a hot/cold car having materials issues, but since this one has spent a good portion of its life in climate controlled storage, I would think that extends the life somewhat. I'm of the opinion that a lot of these car seat rules are a CYA thing on the part of the manufacturers.

If you offer her the seat as a back up plan, would she just be lazy about it and take it, or do you think she would still actively seek out a non-expired seat in the meantime?

A barely expired seat is still likely way better than a way expired seat or a seat with a more questionable history.

kmc84

Just an FYI.....The other issue with using an expired seat is that if you are in a proper use state (most are) it is actually illegal to do so.

joyfultrex

Thanks! I will call the company today, but probably end up replacing it. The accident was so minor that I didn't even know he'd been hit and I was about 5 cars behind him. I saw the car who hit him make the illegal left and then started wondering what was up. But, I'd rather be safe than sorry.