Child Seats After an Accident and Recovering Property Damages
Ensuring child safety is a top priority, so it is important to assess when and why you should replace child safety seats after Louisiana accidents. Damage to your car itself may be eligible for financial recovery following a car collision, and items that are damaged in the car, such as child car seats, could be eligible as well.
Talk to a New Orleans personal injury lawyer about the specifics of your situation, including if there were child safety seats in the vehicle when the wreck occurred.
Replacing Child Seats After an Accident
Child safety seats and boosters are designed to protect children in the event of a car accident. While designs have improved over time, the effectiveness of all child safety systems can be compromised when a collision occurs. Some questions to consider when child seats are involved in an accident include the following:
- How severe was the collision? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends replacing child seats after any vehicular collision that was moderate to severe. A moderate accident is typically defined as a vehicle being towed away from the scene and a severe accident includes significant damage to the vehicle’s structure.
- Have you inspected the car seat for damage? After any accident, fender bender or serious wreck, inspect the child car seat thoroughly. Things to look for include visible damage, such as cracks or webbing tears. When there are noticeable damages, replace the seat.
- Did an airbag deploy? If the airbags went off during the accident, the child seat will likely need to be replaced. This is because airbag deployment happens due to force, and that force can impact a child seat, compromising its safety features.
- Have you consulted the manufacturer guidelines? Manufacturer’s guidelines exist for each type of child safety seat. Reviewing the documentation you have from the company or contacting them directly are ways to connect with resources on whether seats should be replaced after specific types of accidents.
- What type of insurance coverage is in place? Insurance policies often cover the cost of replacing a child seat after an accident.
Gathering information from an insurance company about what type of compensation is possible, such as if car seats will be included in your settlement, is something a legal professional can do on your behalf. Skilled car accident lawyers are available to help you navigate the legal process and ensure your rights are protected.
Recovering Property Damages
You need to connect with all of the expenses recovery you can to be sure you are not left shouldering the financial burden caused by the collision. If you have been in touch with an insurance company but believe you are not receiving fair settlement offers, seek legal assistance from a New Orleans personal injury lawyer.
Did you have a car seat in your vehicle during an accident? When it comes to securing property damages following a New Orleans, Metairie or Gretna collision, connect with the seasoned legal team at Palazzo Law Firm. Call 504-433-1442 for a fee-free consultation.
