You're still in shock. You got rear-ended at a stoplight or worse. Whatever it was, you and your kids are ok (phew) and you begin to wonder. Do I need to replace my car seat?
The quick answer: Replace your car seat after any moderate or severe crash, even if no one was sitting in it. After a minor crash, it depends on your car seat manufacturer. Many brands want the seat replaced after any crash, so check your manual before your child rides in it again.
We get asked this question often. In this article, we will cover:
- If you have to replace your car seat after an accident.
- What makes your crash minor?
- Why you should not use your car seat after a crash.
- What if questions that we hear (e.g., no one was in the car seat)
- What you should do with your car seat after an accident.
As Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) and moms, we get asked these questions after a car accident all the time. So here's how we would tell you.
Do You Need a New Car Seat After a Car Crash?
The short answer is yes, you need a new car seat after a moderate or severe crash. After a minor crash, it depends on your car seat manufacturer.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that you should replace your child's safety seat after a moderate or severe crash, but it may not need to be replaced after a minor crash. Some manufacturers go further and want the seat replaced after any crash. Check the instructions that came with your car seat, because only the manufacturer can tell you if you can reuse the seat.
Many parents also think that you need a car seat replacement after an accident by law but there is no law that will make you replace your car seat. We will explain everything in our article about the car seat accident replacement law. So you know what's the rule versus what's just good practice.
How to Tell if Your Crash Was Minor
Now that you know you may need a new car seat after an accident, here's how to know if your crash was minor. The NHTSA lists 5 criteria that must be met to determine if your crash was minor.
All 5 of these must be met to consider your crash minor.
- The vehicle can continue to drive.
- The door nearest to your child safety seat was not damaged.
- No one was injured in your vehicle.
- No airbags deployed.
- No visible damage to your child safety seat.
What that means is if your car was able to drive away, the door closest to your child safety seat was not damaged. Nobody was injured and your airbags did not deploy. And you did not notice any damage to your car seat. Your crash is considered minor.
If ANY of the above are not met, you should replace your car seat before using it. So if you had 4 out of 5 that does not count as a minor crash. Replace your car seat.
Just to be clear, a minor crash does not always mean you can reuse your car seat. As stated above some manufacturers want you to replace your seat after any crash. We go over that in our article about replacing a car seat after a minor accident.
Why Are Car Seats Not Safe After a Crash
You may be wondering why your car seat isn't safe after a crash. It looks just fine! Right? Well, here's why.
There can be hidden damage to your car seat after an accident. Your car seat absorbs crash forces and there may be damage to the seat that you can't see. Your car seat's shell may have small cracks in it. The energy-absorbing foam may be crushed and the harness webbing may not be as strong as it once was. Your car seat did its job once.
No CPST can look at a crashed car seat and confirm it's safe. That's the manufacturer's call.
Car seats are designed to protect your child, and they are designed to be single-use products. They are not designed to be reused after an accident because the materials that absorb the impact may not be able to do so again. That's why you shouldn't reuse your car seat after a moderate or severe crash, or after any crash if your manufacturer says to replace it.
If you want to learn more about what happens in a car crash, read our article.
Do You Need a New Car Seat If
You may be asking yourself what-if questions about your car seat. These are some we get asked a lot.
No One Was in the Car Seat
You may be thinking, well my kid wasn't in the car seat, so I don't need to replace it, right? Not quite. Your unoccupied car seat was still in your car. If you have a moderate or severe crash, you should replace the seat even if no one was in it.
It Was Just a Fender Bender
Your car may have gotten scratched up in a parking lot and that may have been considered a minor crash. Follow all of the criteria above to determine if the crash was minor.
If your car could drive away and your airbags did not deploy (and the other three criteria are met) you may not need to replace your car seat. But always check with your car seat manufacturer. They may still want you to replace your seat after a minor crash.
My Car Seat Base Was in My Car
This may apply if you have an infant car seat. If your car seat base was in your car and your child was not in their infant car seat, you should still replace the base after a moderate or severe crash. Always check with your manufacturer if you are in doubt about whether to replace it.
My Child Uses a Booster Seat
If your child was riding in a booster seat you still have to replace it after a moderate or severe crash. A booster shell and its belt-positioning parts can absorb force just like a harnessed seat can, so it's important to replace them.
I Don't Know if the Car Seat Has Been in an Accident
If you are getting a used car seat or have received a hand-me-down, you should know if it has been in an accident. You should always know your car seat's crash history, expiration date, how it was stored, its recall status and whether all the original parts are there. If you don't know this information, you should not use the car seat. Make sure to learn more about why car seats expire.
What to Do With Your Car Seat After a Crash
First, you should check your owner's manual or call your car seat manufacturer. Do not let your child ride in your car seat until it has been cleared to use. You should also contact your insurance company about a replacement seat. Many insurance companies will replace your car seat if it has been in a crash. Ask how they handle car seat claims before you buy, and keep the receipt for the new seat.
Not sure what your manual says or which seat to buy next? Talk to a Tech and one of our CPSTs will answer your question by email.
Read our article about what to do with a car seat after an accident to learn more.
Do not give your car seat away after an accident. You should recycle the seat. Some manufacturers have car seat recycling instructions and you should follow them. We have more information about car seat recycling here.
If you want to trade your car seat in we have information about the Target car seat trade-in event here. Replace the seat if you are unsure. It's better to be safe than sorry. Once you are ready to buy a new car seat, here is our car seat buying process.
Safe in the Seat was founded by Michelle Pratt, CPST, in 2018. We want to help you feel safe about your car seats. If you're overwhelmed by buying a new car seat, check out our Convertible Car Seat Comparison Kit. Want more car seat help? Join our newsletter. We will help you keep your little one Safe in the Seat.
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