Car seat trouble?

Question

My sister and 5 mth old were hit from be hide . Both air bags were deployed and the car had very bad damage (to front and rear) what sould happen to the car seat . We can see no visable damage. The web sites that i have looked at are not telling me to much . WE NEED HELP!

Answer 1

According to the NHTSA, all car seats should be replaced after a moderate or severe crash.

You should only keep the seat if:

-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

So, it sounds like you had better replace the seat to keep your little one safe.

Answer 2

The car seat is no longer safe! The interior structure may have been compromised. It's best to be safe and buy a new carseat!

Here's what a pediatrician had to say:

If it was a moderate or severe crash, then yes, you should replace the car seats.

However, if it was just a minor accident, then you may not automatically need to. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an accident is minor if:

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.
If your accident meets all of those criteria, then you probably don't need to replace their car seats.

If it was a more moderate or severe crash or if you aren't sure if your child's car seat is still safe, then you should likely replace it. Or at least have it checked at a Child Safety Seat Inspection Station

Answer 3

The carseat needs replaced. I'm actually suprised the police didn't confiscate it at the scene... they usually do here. The careseat is no longer safe for a child. That is why consignment stores and such are no longer allowed to sell used carseats... you just never know what it has been thru... they become damaged even if you can't see it..... when in doubt, take the sure choice and replace it with a new one.

Answer 4

It should be replaced. Even without visible damage, there may be weakening or other damage not visible to inspection. Always err on the side of caution with the baby seats.
Your local fire department or Red Cross can probably help you with answers about car seats too.

Answer 5

The advice is if your car seat has been in any accident, you should change it, the protection can be weakened, even if there is no visable damage. I know it's extra cost, but it's better to be safe x

Answer 6

You need to replace the seat! make sure when you put it in the dump or take to the dump you plce a sign on it saying it was in an accident or someone will probably take it and reuse it!

Glad no one was severely injured and the car seat and air bags did there job!

Answer 7

I believe car seats are supposed to be replaced after an accident. The shock absorbing foam can be damaged, and injuries could result from another accident. Your local police or fire department can tell you for sure.

Answer 8

Any time a car seat is in an accident...it needs to be replaced. Even if there isn't a mark on it its strain on the seat with the collision.

Answer 9

Please replace the car seat. There may be damage that is not visible. There may have been stress on the straps that has weakened them. It is a relatively small price to pay to keep the baby safe. I hope they are OK.

Answer 10

any time a car seat is involved in an accident even if there is no damage it should be replaced.