Who’s At Fault in a Car Accident? A Guide to Liability in Ohio
Posted in: Car Accidents
KNR Legal Blog
When you have been hurt in a car accident, your focus is likely on getting the medical treatment you need and heading back to work as soon as possible. You also have to ensure your vehicle is fixed or replaced and that the insurance claim is submitted. The days and weeks after a collision are overwhelming. With all of this going on, you might not think about the state of your child’s car seat. However, replacing your child’s car seat after an accident is a necessity.
For help in handling your collision claim, contact the Ohio car accident lawyers of Kisling, Nestico & Redick at 1-800-HURT-NOW. We will help you navigate the personal injury claims process and consider every aspect of recovering physically, mentally, and financially.
Child car seats are not made to withstand multiple serious incidents. If you are in a significant accident, whether or not your child is in the vehicle at the time, you need to purchase a new, uncompromised car seat, even if there is no visible damage to the seat. If a crash can bend or break the metal on your vehicle, it can break or weaken the plastic and fabric on your child’s safety seat. You just might not know where to look or be able to see it with the naked eye. The National Highway Traffics Safety Administration (NHTSA) agrees child safety seats of all sizes should be replaced following most crashes.
When you need to replace a child safety seat after an accident, this is a good time to review your child’s needs. If your child is ready to move up to the next size safety seat or from a car seat to a booster, purchase the best size, not simply a duplicate of what you had. In general, the correct size child car seat according to the NHTSA is:
The reason behind the large overlap between seats is because every child grows at a slightly different pace. You should always follow the manufacturer’s weight and height restrictions to determine when it is the right time to move to a larger seat – not just your child’s age.
Child safety seats are not cheap. They can cost a few hundred dollars, which can feel impossible when you have other out-of-pocket expenses following an accident. The good news is that if your accident was caused by another driver, the cost of replacing the child safety seat can be included in your insurance claim or the damages you request during a lawsuit. Do not forget to mention the car seat to your attorney and the insurer in your formal claim.
If you are using your own comprehensive or collision insurance policy to recover after a crash, ask your own insurer to reimburse you for a new seat. Many insurance policies will cover this expense, though it can depend on your specific policy and the severity of the accident.
Too much goes on after a collision to handle it all on your own. While you concentrate on recovering and being with your family, let our experienced Ohio personal injury lawyers handle the administrative and legal aspects of your claim. Kisling, Nestico & Redick is one of the largest personal injury firms in Ohio, and we have the skills and resources you need to recover the maximum compensation possible after a crash. To learn more about how we can help, call us today at 1-800-HURT-NOW.