Car seat after accident

[Deleted]

As I mentioned in the MOTN randoms thread, I was in a car accident last night. It wasn't too too bad, but it was definitely more than a little fender bender.

We have a Britax Marathon, and the Britax website says that minor crashes don't require a new seat, but I don't know whether I should push the insurance company to replace it anyways, or if its OK to keep using.

The car was drivable to move it into a parking lot, and once we pulled the fender out a bit, it technically could've been drivable to the collision place, but we still had it towed. I'm sore and my ankle hurts, but no major injuries.

WWYD?

[Deleted]

I'd just get a new one. You just never know.
And where I live insurance is usually pretty easy about the carseat. Sometimes you have take your old one to the nearest office, but they pay up no problem for the most part.

[chickens987]

It was a front bumper impact, right? And your airbags didn't deploy? I'd rule that minor (though it does suck!)

Is it your insurance or the other person's? You can always mention it to them that there was a carseat in the car. I found with my accident that as soon as I said that, they got the ball rolling on replacement. But mine was a major crash (airbags deployed, car was totaled).

[penguingrrl]

I'm so sorry! Glad everyone is okay! I believe on car-seat.org the techs say that if you're sore there was enough impact to compromise the integrity of the seat and it must be replaced. The insurance company should cover it.

[ktw]

I'd err on the side of caution and replace. You could give Britax a call and ask for their definition of "minor". If insurance gives you a hard time, ask for a letter from them stating that they find the carseat to be safe, in the event that something happens. From what I've read, typically that will result in you getting a new carseat .

[Deleted]

I'd talk to insurance to get the ball rolling on a replacement seat.

[Deleted]

Definitely push with the insurance company.

[Brie]

I would ask for a replacement, too. Better safe than sorry.

[arch01]

I'd push for a new one.

[statlerwaldorf]

I just went through a lot of crap with an insurance company to get them to replace my car seat. They would not replace it because it was unoccupied and tried to claim it was a minor accident even though both vehicles were totaled. I sent them a copy of the NHTSA guidelines for replacing a car seat and they ended up replacing it.

[greycat]

I posted a similar question last summer when I was involved in a minor fender bender. Someone posted this link which I found helpful: www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/childps/childrestraints/reuse/restraintreuse.htm

In my case, there was no damage to either car aside from a minor scratch so we opted not to replace the seat. Ironically, my husband got in a car accident the other day (a car changed lanes into him). While it wasn't a severe accident (drivable, no airbag deployment, no injuries) the car did sustain some damage and we are considering replacing the car seat to be on the safe side (insurance will cover it).

In your case I would probably replace it even it it met all the requirements listed In the NHTSA recommendations.

[tigress]

May 14, 2014 10:38:36 GMT -5 greycat said:

I posted a similar question last summer when I was involved in a minor fender bender. Someone posted this link which I found helpful: www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/childps/childrestraints/reuse/restraintreuse.htm

In my case, there was no damage to either car aside from a minor scratch so we opted not to replace the seat. Ironically, my husband got in a car accident the other day (a car changed lanes into him). While it wasn't a severe accident (drivable, no airbag deployment, no injuries) the car did sustain some damage and we are considering replacing the car seat to be on the safe side (insurance will cover it).

In your case I would probably replace it even it it met all the requirements listed In the NHTSA recommendations.

I am an insurance adjuster. That is the guidelines I use if being requested by someone to replace a carseat.

[Deleted]

I would get a new one. I would have to, for my peace of mind. Being the person that I am, I would drive myself NUTS thinking about the stability of the seat every time I strapped DS into it. I would have to get a new one, or I would be constantly anxious.

[Deleted]

Thanks, everyone. I think I'll push the insurance companies to see what they say.

tigress - those were the same standards that Britax shows on their website. I just don't understand how injured someone has to be for it to "count". I'm pretty sore, and my neck is starting to bother me. Is that enough to warrant a new seat?

[redheadbaker]

I was rear ended last year, and also had a Britax Marathon. I told my insurance company (Progressive) that I wanted to replace the seat and they handed me a check for the retail value of the seat, no questions asked.

[birdy]

Sorry about your accident. I was in an accident about two weeks ago, relatively minor, however my car had to be towed to the collision shop. DD wasn't in the car with me, thankfully. I requested a new seat and insurance covered one up to $200. I would get one just to be on the safe side.