Your Child Safety Seat After a Wreck
At the Miller Law Group, we know about personal injury claims, and how difficult they can be to navigate. That’s why our clients come first. Even among our clients, though, we have a special place in our hearts, and in our practice, for kids. Most people don’t know that after any sort of significant collision, a child safety seat should be replaced, even if the seat itself was not visibly damaged. Safety seats are made in a way that, while they are designed to protect children, the supports and straps in the seats can be damaged in ways that are hard, if not impossible, to see. You don’t want to find out too late that the seats aren’t working properly.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says this:
“NHTSA recommends that a child safety seat be replaced following a moderate or severe crash in order to ensure a continued high level of crash protection for child passengers. Car seats do not automatically need to be replaced following a minor crash.
What defines a minor crash?
A minor crash is one in which ALL of the following apply:
- The vehicle was able to be driven away from the crash site.
- The vehicle door nearest the car seat was not damaged.
- None of the passengers in the vehicle sustained any injuries in the crash.
- If the vehicle has air bags, the air bags did not deploy during the crash; and
- There is no visible damage to the car seat.
NEVER use a car seat that has been involved in a moderate to severe crash. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions.” (Visit www.NHTSA.gov for more information)
Our rule of thumb, however, is that you should replace a child seat whenever you are in a crash, no matter how minor it was. If you have a property damage claim, you should include new car seats as part of that claim, as they should be covered as part of any property damage claim. If an adjuster tells you they’re not covered, the adjuster is lying. Our attorneys have over 50 years of experience with personal injury claims and car wreck claims. If you or your child have been hurt in a car wreck, contact the Miller Law Group today for a free consultation.
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