Talk to me about car seats and accidents

LunaBug924

So I just hit a deer on my way home from work. He came right over the median on the highway and I was in the left lane doing 60mph. My front end is banged up, but no air bag deployed and the car is drivable. I have the base for DD's car seat in the car. What now?

And obviously I'm ok, thank God. I can't say the same for the deer.

rainbowsockmonkey

Depending on the brand of carseat base, you may need to replace it.

LunaBug924

It's a Britax B Safe.

rainbowsockmonkey

Britax has standards that have to be met for replacement of the seat.  

this page has the criteria that has to be met.  https://www.britaxusa.com/support/faq/after-a-crash  

QOTR

I'm sorry to hear that!  I'm glad you're ok though.

Junebug060609

See if your insurance will replace it. If they say no and the Britax stuff says you meet the criteria (I didn't look), tell them the manufacturer says they should.

I'm glad you're ok. I've had similar incidents pre-kids and they are scary.

Bootsie327

I actually hit a deer a couple weeks ago! My hood absorbed the shock. No airbags or anything. I had DS in the car with me and thankfully he was completely none the wiser and we only hit the deer and nothing else. I wanted to be safe, so I had the seat re-inspected. We have an extra base so I put that in for the inspection, too; however, the other base still met all of the criteria if I had wanted to keep it in. Even though there was rather extensive front end damage to my car (read: literally a deer shaped dent), it is considered a "minor" accident as far as car seats go. With all that said, insurance would have covered a new seat, had I chosen to get one. Good luck!

springbeduk2

I'm glad you're OK! It's so scary how deer just leap into the road like that so one can't possibly avoid them. Especially this time of year. I haven't got a clue about the carseat question - just wanted to say glad you are OK.

pistolpackinmomma

Bootsie327 said:

I actually hit a deer a couple weeks ago! My hood absorbed the shock. No airbags or anything. I had DS in the car with me and thankfully he was completely none the wiser and we only hit the deer and nothing else. I wanted to be safe, so I had the seat re-inspected. We have an extra base so I put that in for the inspection, too; however, the other base still met all of the criteria if I had wanted to keep it in. Even though there was rather extensive front end damage to my car (read: literally a deer shaped dent), it is considered a "minor" accident as far as car seats go. With all that said, insurance would have covered a new seat, had I chosen to get one. Good luck!

You cannot inspect a seat for damage from a crash. There can be internal damage or the structure compromises even though it looks fine. I would strongly suggest replacing that seat.

Mimaloo

I've been told that your insurance company should replace it even if it didn't sustain any damage. 

lilbeautysxt

I'm a claims adjuster and I can tell you we replace car seats all the time with no questions asked.