If you've been in a car crash, you might need to replace your car seats, even if your child wasn't with you! Get all the details to know when and if you need to replace a car seat after an accident.
Last month our friends got into a very bad car accident. They were sitting at a stoplight when a car slammed into their SUV head-on. The other driver was having a seizure and lost control of his car and ended up severely damaging our friends' vehicle to the point that it was deemed a total loss. What's worse is that their two children were in the car with them. Their little girl, age 4 was badly bruised and shaken up, but their 22-month-old son didn't have a scratch on him. Mom and dad were slightly injured and ended up with whiplash, but luckily they all walked away. Since it's Child Passenger Safety Week, I've been thinking a lot about car seats lately and wanted to find out what kind of seats the kids were in. Turns out they were both in Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 seats. I asked her if she chose to replace them with new Graco seats and she said she wasn't aware that she needed to get new seats after an accident. That got me thinking... if I didn't review car seats on this blog and pour over their manuals, would I know that? How many other people don't know that you might need to replace your car seat after a collision? Probably a lot! So, let's talk about what you need to know about car seats use after a car accident.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets and enforces safety performance standards for motor vehicles and motor vehicle equipment, including car seats. They also conduct research on driver behavior and traffic safety, to develop the most efficient and effective means of bringing about safety improvements. In effect, the NHTSA sets the tone for what we should or shouldn't do with our child safety seats.
Do you need to replace a car seat after an accident?
Previously, the NHTSA recommended that car seats be replaced after all car crashes. However, NHTSA made a change in the previous policy regarding replacing child safety seats involved in a crash in order to ensure that parents or caregivers continue to correctly restrain their child following a minor crash (they don't want to see kids riding around without a car seat while they're waiting for a replacement) and to reduce the financial burden of unnecessary child safety seat replacement.
The NHTSA now recommends that car seats be replaced following a moderate or severe crash in order to ensure a continued high level of crash protection for child passengers. They do not automatically need to be replaced following a minor crash.
So, what's considered a minor crash? Minor crashes are those that meet ALL of the following criteria:
- The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site; AND
- The vehicle door nearest the safety seat was undamaged; AND
- There were no injuries to any of the vehicle occupants; AND
- The air bags (if present) did not deploy; AND
- There is no visible damage to the safety seat
Evidence that the Graco Nautilus 3-in-1 Car Seat did it's job in protecting this sweet little girl.
In the case of my friends, their car was deemed a total loss, so that's a sure sign that they need new car seats according to the NHTSA. However, even if you're in a minor crash, it's a good idea to check with your car seat's manufacturer to see what their stance is on the safety of your seat after a crash. Some brands, such as Clek, Evenflo, Chicco, and Graco (among others) state that your car seat should be replaced after any kind of accident. Check your manual, and if you don't have it anymore search for an online version, or simply call the manufacturer directly with your make and model number (found on the seat itself).
Will your insurance cover a replacement car seat after an accident?
The good news in all of this is that your automobile insurance company may have a policy in place to replace your car seat(s) if it's involved in a crash. I definitely recommend reaching out to them to see if you qualify for a replacement or reimbursement.
What should you do with your damaged car seat?
If your car seat manufactured doesn't have a recycling program in place, you'll need to dispose of the car seat that was involved in the crash. Be sure to make it unusable, in case someone decides to go dumpster diving and retrieve your damaged seat. Cut the straps and remove anything that can be, like the cover or headrest, to make it unfit for use.
Is this information news to you?
Have you been in an accident and had to replace your car seat(s)?
If you need a new car seat, we've got some helpful reviews for you:
At Viva Veltoro, we love the Britax brand. Check out our post about anti-rebound bars featuring the Britax Boulevard ClickTight, and our post about car seat installation tips featuring the Britax Advocate ClickTight.
We also love Graco baby products. Check out our Graco Extend2Fit 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat review, our Graco 4Ever Extend2Fit 4-in-1 Convertible Car Seat review, and our Graco SlimFit Convertible Car Seat review. If you've got a little baby, we've also got a Graco infant car seat review. We've also got some Graco products featured in our best baby products of 2017 list.
You should also consider Diono for their narrow seats that you can fit 3 across. We've got full reviews of the Diono Radian RXT, a post about traveling via plane with the Diono Rainier, and why car seats and coats don't mix and the benefits of extended rear-facing featuring the Diono Radian RXT as well.
Disclosure: Amazon links are affiliate links. Image credit: Tomasz Zajda/Dollar Photo Club and Roza/AdobeStock
Mare W says
This is a very interesting and timely article! I did not know about replacing car seats involved in accidents. I assumed they were there to protect the children (which they are) and that they would keep on protecting them no matter what. But they can be outdated, or involved in a 'fender bender' while parked in a parking lot. I'll use the criteria you have listed above when deeming it safe to buckle in my little ones from now on! I'll be entering all your baby seat giveaways for certain! 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to read up on manuals and then posting this. I'm going to share so that this gets maximum coverage as best I can.
Cheryl Haver says
We were involved in a t bone accident when my son was 6 months old. I had someone go to Wal-Mart and buy a new seat. Insurance immediately reimbursed us for the seat.
Chrissie W says
Great article. I did not know that if it was a minor accident a seat would not have to be automatically replaced. Important info!
Pamela says
If the manufacturer says it's ANY accident then that trumps everything, even NHTSA. Check your owners Manuel or call the manufacturer
Ruth V. says
Yes, absolutely. I stated that above - it's so important to check your manual or with the manufacturer directly. Not worth taking a chance.
Corissa Light-Moses says
My husband and I were in a minor fender bender, only sustained a small crack in his bumper. My daughter was sleeping and only opened her eyes then went back to sleep so we deemed that "minor" enough to not bother replacing our $200 all-in-one. But if my car was ever totaled the thought of NOT replacing the seat wouldn't have crossed my mind. Seats are like helmets and need to be replaced. Besides insurance covers it so there is no reason not to
Cindy B says
It's really good to see these clarifying factors noted for all of us to be aware. Thanks.
Patience says
I think it's great that you chose to write about this topic. You are so right that many parents do not know that they should replace their car seats after a car accident. When my youngest (now 12) was in a car seat, we were in an accident as well. Thankfully, I had been a many of a very large mommy group and this topic had come up so I was "in the know" when it came to car seats. We were also reminded of this when we took it to the firehouse to have it properly installed. When we disposed of the old car seat we even took it apart as much as possible and left the different pieces in different trash bags in different dumpsters (we lived in an apartment at the time) so that somebody would see it and think "free car seat" because we did not want it to be used again. We also had a car seat or booster seat (depending on his age at the time) for each vehicle so that it did not have to be moved around a lot. Most also do not realize that most states have a weight limit (or suggested weight limit) for when a child needs to be in a car seat or booster. My oldest has always been on the lighter side and he was in a booster until he was 9 or 10.
The Happy Wife/Danielle Garcia says
I just wanted to stress the point that the car seat should still be replaced even if there was not a child in the seat at the time of the accident. It is also important to be prepared to fight the insurance on it, if necessary. We have had to replace ours twice due to accidents. The first time, the insurance covered it without an issue, but the second one was an issue. The adjuster stated that it had been a minor accident and because of that, they would not replace them. However, the other driver had backed into our van, damaging the sliding door enough that it needed to be replaced. I went online and printed off both the NHTSA info regarding minor accidents (it was the door closest to one car seat) and also the info from car seat manufacturers' websites. He agreed right away after receiving the info. How they cover the replacement can vary as well. After the first accident, we bought new car seats and submitted the receipts, which we were quickly reimbursed for. With the second accident, we had to give the receipts from the previous car seats and were reimbursed that amount. I am not sure how it was going to be handled if we had not had the receipts.
Anyway, I also wanted to just say thank you for sharing this information. I am planning on sharing it on my blog this Friday in my "Found on the Web" post, where I share articles I enjoyed this week. Please feel free to come check it out.
Ruth V. says
Thank you so much for your comment Danielle! Great point! The seat(s) should definitely be replaced in an event of a moderate/severe accident (or according to the manufacturer's recommendations), even if they're unoccupied.
I never thought about keeping the receipts to submit to the insurance company after the fact. It's really great to read about your experience since you've been through it. Thank you for sharing that!
desiree says
thank god no one ws serious hurt and dthen the car seat hope it ws destryed so noone get it and it not work for some one else
i now what a car accident can do to you ieven it with whip lash
i
Tricia says
Great Post
Leora Castillo says
Thank you for this post, I am late to see this but it couldn't have come at a better time. We had, what is described above as, a minor crash on Saturday evening. We hit another car head on as he turned unprotected in front of our car. Both my littles were in the car and thankfully were unharmed. We have decided that since the other drivers insurance is covering the cost of replacement we will be replacing both.
Had it not been for a friend that was in a horrible crash, the same as your friends, I wouldn't have known this was an option. It's great info to spread. Thank you!
Now I get to try and figure out what seats to purchase since my sons had his for 3 years and I bought my daughters as the model was being discontinued.
Leora Castillo
Petra Jadan says
Great article, thank you. We were involved in a car accident about 2 years ago but thank God my kids are not in a car seat anymore. I have pre teens. I would be so scary with a baby and a car accident. Thanks
Angela A Simmons says
very informative thanks for the heads up I definitely going to share this article so other moms can be aware what to look for. Awesome post
Melissa K says
I was wondering about this recently! Thanks for the very important info!
Amber Ludwig says
Such great info!! So many people have no idea about seat replacement!! I have heard that car seat companies are super nice about taking call inquiring if a seat should be replaced!! Some are way stricter than others!
ellen beck says
I am so glad no one was injured badly. That looks like a horrible bruise. I bet the drive who had a siezure felt horrible it happened :/ This is a good article and one I hope parents do read. We have friends who are firefighters and EMTs so stay on top of this, but it is amazing how many would never guess on replacements.
I hope he litle one and all involved are healing.
PS I am sorry fo typos when I visit, the prin show very very light and sometimes I dont catch them all.
Omenka Nwachukwu says
thank you so much for this article!
Frank says
My wife was in an accident and the van was totaled but the kids were not in the car at the time. Do car seats still need to be replaced if no child was in them at the time of the accident?
Ruth V. says
Hi Frank. Yes, the seats will definitely need to be replaced. Your insurance should cover this cost. Hope that helps!
Andrea Peppin says
Hi,
My name is Andrea, I was recently in a car crash . We were rear ended hard enough to push the whole back end from the rear bumper to the muffler. Because everything was up against the rear tires the car was not drive able.. There was no damage next to the door in which the carseat sits an our airbags did not deploy.
My 6.5 year old Granddaughter was in the car. She was in her Graco Nautilus 65 booster seat base only with shoulder belt. She weighs 57 lbs and is 49 inches tall. She did not sustain any injuries, however I have a broken back.
My husband and I are in a disagreement as to whether or not the carseat needs to be replaced. I say yes, he says no because the only two criteria that meets the ‘replace’ is not drive able and my injury( which he says would
not have happened if I were not 61 years old!
Please advise.
Amber says
Hi Andrea,
First of all, so sorry about the accident you were in; how awful! I would say that based on the accident, her car seat should be replaced. You can head here to see further recommendations on when to replace a car seat after a crash. Sending healing wishes your way!
Kaitlyn says
Hi there!
I was recently involved in a car accident, should I replace my car seat? No child was in the car, the damage was the the front of the car where it only hit the airbag sensor, causing them to deploy, but my car was totally drivable and no injuries to myself.
I can't see any visible damage to the car seat.
Thanks!
Ruth V. says
Hi Kaityln, I probably would if possible. What does the car seat manufacturer say on the website?
Heather says
I was rear ended sitting at a red light. I believe the man thought I was turning and pressed the gas to go and rammed me. All criteria are met for not needing to replace as we have no obvious injuries, soft tissue is unknown at this point. Minor damage to car - has not been assessed b absolutely driveable and everything Replace or not?
Ruth V. says
I'd reach out to the manufacturer to be sure.
CHristie says
I was recently in an accident. I was rear ended at a red light on an off ramp of a freeway. My 6.5 year old daughter was in the car, we are both sore with minor whiplash, my back end was pushed in that it was not drivable. Everything else is okay and meets requirements of a minor accident. Should this still be replaced/
Ruth V. says
Most likely, yes. I would check with your car seat manufacturer to be sure though.