I got in a car accident-worried about carseats

SumnerBride

So, last Thursday afternoon, I was shopping for some last minute vacation supplies at Target.  I sent Ashlyn off with my mom in her car, and packed Sydney in mine.  On the way out of the lot, a lady in a truck was on her cell, not watching where she was going AT ALL, and full on t-boned my car in the parking lot.  Everyone is okay, but my car is not.  I brought it to the shop today to get an estimate. 

I'm mostly worried about the carseats though.  What's the rule on replacing them if your car is in an accident?

hikerbeth

I'm pretty sure Britax has "rules" for when the carseat needs to be replaced on their website. . . maybe other manufacturerers do as well.  I'm sure it has to do with the speed of the crash and where the impact happened in relationship to the carseat.

eta:  Glad everyone is o.k.

beanzer

My husband was in an accident last year with DS. ?It was not his fault and the other persons insurance replaced both car seats, even DD's who was not in the vehicle.

AnnapolisLari

If it was more than a 5 mile an hour hit, I would say to replace. I think your (or her) insurance should cover them.

xbrooklyngrl

OMG, how scary. I'm glad you are all ok!

I think pretty much most require them to be replaced.

lsufan

What kind of carseats do you have? ?Check the website for the manufacturer. ?Britax has a definition of "minor" accident, where the seat doesn't need to be replaced. ?I think it has to do with the speed of the car at the time, whether there was any damage to the door closest to the seat, etc. ?I'd also check with the insurance company.

KoriBrett

To be honest we just replaced them anyway to avoid the whatifs.  DH was rear ended badly enough that his car was totalled, DD was with him.  We left them with the car and bought new. 

I'm glad you guys are ok.

SumnerBride

I was hit on the driver's side.  Ashlyn's seat is on my side, and that door will need to be replaced.  It moved her carseat.  I'm just glad she wasn't in the car at the time of the accident.

Thanks ladies.  I'll be calling them back to see about this.....I hate insurance, so I hope it's not a huge hassle.

heyitsme

Some states have laws that state any car seat in a crash needs to be replaced. Some only say occupied seats need replacing. What car seats do you have? Britax and Sunshine Kids are the only 2 companies I know of who say you DO NOT have to replace the restraint if it was a minor crash according to NTHSA guidelines. These are them:

• Minor crashes are those that meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;

  • The vehicle door nearest the safety seat was undamaged;

  • There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;

  • The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND

  • There is no visible damage to the safety seat

 

SumnerBride

heyitsme:

Some states have laws that state any car seat in a crash needs to be replaced. Some only say occupied seats need replacing. What car seats do you have? Britax and Sunshine Kids are the only 2 companies I know of who say you DO NOT have to replace the restraint if it was a minor crash according to NTHSA guidelines. These are them:

• Minor crashes are those that meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site;

  • The vehicle door nearest the safety seat was undamaged;

  • There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants;

  • The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND

  • There is no visible damage to the safety seat

 

See-now I'm wondering.  Yes, I did drive the car away.  The doors do not shut properly.  And, my 2.5 year old's seat was moved by the impact-the door came in on it.  Both the driver's side door, and rear door will need to be fixed or replaced.  They came apart and can't be closed.  The air bags didn't deploy though.  I guess I need to really take a look at the seat though.  It's a britax marathon.  I have a roundabout too, but it wasn't on the side that was hit.

xbrooklyngrl

I'd just try to have their insurance poay for new seats and not risk it.

Kersbear

I would 100% call the insurance company (hers and yours, so yours can help you fight for them to cover the cost of a new seat if need be) and get her carseat replaced.  It was affected by the crash and I wouldn't feel safe using it.

Jen2004

When my friend was in a accident her Insurance company replaced hers she just called and told what happened and St.Farm asked if there were cars seats and she said yes and they cut her a check for  a new carseat.

ErinNConnorsMom

Replace it for sure, and check with the other lady's insurance company.  They should pay for a new one.

EMT

OMG SUM! I'm so sorry to hear this and glad you are all okay. I would replace the carseats.

Does the lady have insurance? How was your trip?

lilpiglet

the other person's insurance should replace both car seats, whether the kids were in them or not... even if the crash didn't happen on the side of the other car seat, the seat would of still gotten the "jolt" of the crash...

I woudl push for new car seats..insurance should agree to that without any problems, at least most insurance company's due... I would def. replace the car seat on the side that was hit no matter what, especially since it was moved, insurance company should not fight you on that one what so ever... the other one they might give a little fight, but should replace it anyway....

good luck and i'm glad no one was hurt!

Goose51504

OMG! That sucks, Sum. However, I'm glad you guys are okay. Based on your description of the accident, I'm sure most insurance companies would classify the crash as more than "minor" and would replace your seats. I'd go ahead and pursue this, just to be on the safe side.

 

Tracy1011

I've been in two accidents that were not my fault and my insurance paid for new car seats, no questions asked.  They didn't even hesitate.

If it wasn't your fault, your insurance will probaby pay and since it wasn't your fault, your rates shouldn't be affected. Mine weren't. I'd replace them just to be safe, and if insurance pays for it, no biggie.

 Glad you weren't hurt!