Car Seat Buying Guide 
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Page 4 of 4 After a Crash Can I keep using my car seat after a car crash? This is one of the most common questions we get asked. You probably already know the answer: probably not. Forces are extreme in a crash--enough to bend the steel frame of the car--and can cause invisible damage to your car seat. Even though you can't see it, the plastic on your car seat could be weakened by these crash forces. Only a handful of manufacturers allow you to reuse the seat after a crash, and among those that allow reuse there are still restrictions depending on the type of crash. We've made a chart to help you figure out whether or not to get a new seat. The information in this chart is taken directly from car seat instruction manuals. If you still have questions after consulting this chart and your car seat's instruction manual, call the manufacturer before reusing the car seat. When in doubt, do not reuse your car seat after a crash. If you need to replace your car seat, remember that most insurance companies will reimburse you for new seats if yours need to be replaced. If the insurance company requires "persuading," just show them the instruction in your car seat owner's manual requiring the car seat to be replaced after a crash. If you don't have your owner's manual you can look online--most car seat instruction manuals are available via download. If your insurance company agrees to pay for the replacement seat, know that you are not required to replace the damaged car seat with the same exact model--so if your child was just about to outgrow the damaged car seat you can replace it with the next size model. You also should remember to make sure the new car seat will fit in your replacement vehicle if your car was totaled in the crash. If your car seat can no longer be used, please dispose of it properly. Putting a whole, new-looking car seat out with your trash is dangerous to others who might pass by and take it, believing it to be safe. Some car seat recycling programs exist. If you can't recycle your seat, remove all the fabric padding and cut it up so that it's no longer usable. Cut the straps and remove any foam and padding from the car seat shell. Then, write on the car seat in permanent marker "This car seat is not safe to use, it's been in a crash" or some other clear indication that it should not be used. Only then should you put it in the trash.
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