The correct car seat can save your child’s life in a car accident. Unfortunately, many car seats are not designed well and do not always do their job, even endangering the child. Hundreds of injuries have happened because of recalled car seats.
The Most Important Thing Parents Should Know
The most important thing you should know regarding car seat safety is that if you are ever involved in a car accident, the car seat must be replaced. This is explicitly stated on the manufacturers’ information included with every car seat. Once a car seat has been involved in an accident, it can become damaged, and the safety features of the seat can be compromised. It can be impossible to tell the seat has been damaged simply by looking at the car seat. They absolutely must be replaced. The good news is that your car insurance company should cover the cost of replacing the seat.
So how do you know which car seats are safe? Here are some features to look for when choosing a car seat.
Energy-absorbing foam
This is a good feature to have because it will absorb some of the shock of the impact in the case of an accident. A good car seat that has energy-absorbing foam in it is Bob-B-Safe. It has the energy-absorbing foam and impact protection on the sides that makes it a little bulky, but effective in protecting a child.
Deeper V
Car crash simulations have shown that a deeper V in the shape of the car seat will cradle the baby and prevent injury during the rebound of a car crash. A deep V backed shape is good for premature babies and newborns, but is versatile enough to be used for bigger infants as well.
Side impact protection
Always look for good side impact ratings when getting a car seat because they are essential for protecting your child. Protective padded sides are easy to spot on a car seat and should have the energy absorbing foam to protect your baby as well.
What to avoid when buying a car seat:
Tricky restraints
The last thing you want is to struggle with a difficult buckle or clasp in an emergency. Make sure you can open them all easily and quickly before you buy. Also check reviews to see how the car seat holds up over time. Sometimes a car seat might work well right after you buy it, but the buckles start sticking more and more as the car seat gets older.
Light, small car seats
It can be tempting to get a light car seat that does not take up much room, especially when you need to switch vehicles a lot or you drive a small car. But they just do not do as good a job protecting your child in an accident. Less weight and space also means less protection. Light seats are also cheaper which can be tempting, but you should not cut corners on costs at the expense of your infant’s safety.
Any car seat on a recall list
This is an obvious but very important one. Always check to make sure a car seat isn’t being recalled. Car seats that were recalled can cause injury even without being in an accident. Injuries like skull fractures and concussions have been known to happen because of defective car seats. Always stay up to date on recent car seat recalls in case your own car seat suddenly gets recalled. Buy a new car seat whenever possible but if you need to buy a used, older model, check to make sure it is not on the recall list.
A good way to make sure you know if your car seat gets recalled is to register it with the manufacturer. They will contact you if the car seat is recalled and discuss a refund or getting the seat fixed. When you register you will need the following information:
- Your name
- Mailing Address
- Manufacturer’s Name
- Date of Manufacture
- Model Number
- Model Name
A car seat is an important part of keeping your child safe in the event of a car accident. Make sure you choose the best car seat you can to prepare for the worst.
The Law Offices of David Kohm are advocates for the safety of Texas citizens. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, call us for a free consultation at (817) 522-4451 or use our easy contact form on the right side of the page or using our contact page.
