A car accident in Louisiana can seriously rattle your confidence. Anyone in the vehicle may experience triggers when they recall the traumatic situation. Preparing everyone to get back into a vehicle may take some time.
One thing to consider is the reliability of any child restraints in your vehicle. Depending on the type of accident you experienced, the impact may have compromised the integrity of your children’s car seats. Knowing when to replace these restraints can help you optimize the protection of those you love most.
Your vehicle’s condition
Your vehicle’s condition can provide a lot of information about when to replace your children’s car seats. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, always buy new car seats after a moderate to severe collision. You can tell when your children need new car seats when you recognize the following:
- You notice car seat damage
- Your doors sustained damage
- Your vehicle sustained disabling damage
- Your children sustained injuries
- Your airbags deployed
Your options
When in doubt, you can always contact the manufacturer of your children’s car seats and describe the situation to them. They can point you in the direction you need to go to. In some cases, your insurance company may cover the costs of purchasing new car seats after a collision.
Even in a minor accident, look for car seat damage. Remove each restraint and resecure it inside of your vehicle. Follow manufacturer instructions for installation. Adjust each car seat to accommodate your children’s height and weight. Proper car seat installation can make a considerable difference in the safety of your children as your family prepares to drive again.
