Insurance Companies Cover New Child Car Seats After Accidents Do you have child car seats and booster seats in your vehicle? If you do and you were involved in a car crash, replacing the seats for safety reasons may be on your mind. Auto insurance will usually cover the cost of replacing child car seats and booster seats after virtually any crash. To boost personal safety, choosing new seats may be best. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advised replacing all child seats after any accident in the past, they have adjusted that recommendation to be only after a moderate to severe crash. After a Florida car crash, discuss your situation with a knowledgeable Sarasota car accident lawyer to learn how best to protect your family moving forward. What Is a Minor Accident? In order for an accident to be designated as a minor crash instead of a moderate to severe crash, all of the following must apply:
- The vehicle drove away from the accident scene easily.
- There was no damage to the door next to, or closest to, the child or booster seat.
- There were no injuries to anyone in the vehicle.
- None of the air bags—knee, side curtain, inflatable or front air bags—were deployed.
- The car seat or booster seat had no visible signs of damage.
It is highly recommended that booster seats and child car seats should be replaced if a tow truck was called or there was vehicle door damage. The nearest door to the child is particularly important. Also, visible indicators of damage to a car seat may include stitching that is torn, broken pieces, cracks, webbing extended, and any other evidence of impairment. If there is damage, replacement is essential. It is also helpful to look at your particular car seat manual. Many car seat manufacturers recommend getting a new seat after any crash. It can be helpful to point this out to insurance companies if they argue against replacing your car seat. A Sarasota car accident lawyer can help you navigate your insurance claim and argue that your child car seat should be replaced.
Insurance Companies Cover Costs The truth is, even after minor accidents, it is helpful to obtain new child safety products. Insurance companies cover the cost of replacing child car seats and booster seats. In most instances, the seats can even be a different type. For example, if there was a car seat damaged that the child is close to outgrowing, the replacement could be a booster for the next phase of their development. If the seat is in good condition, and the insurance company does not require you to turn it in, you might be tempted to donate the seat to a local charity. For the safety of all families, car seats that have been through a car accident are not good candidates for donation. Instead, look into recycling programs in your community. If you have been in a Florida car accident and had child seats or booster seats in the vehicle, talk to the experienced
Sarasota car accident lawyers at Hale Law for a free attorney consultation. After hiring us, our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means there are no fees or costs if we are unable to recover compensation for you. For free consultation, call us anytime at 941-735-4529. Resource: nhtsa.gov/car-seats-and-booster-seats/car-seat-use-after-crash
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