Dellutri Law Group - September 2019

Should I Replace a Car Seat After an Accident? The Car Seat Conundrum

Being involved in a car accident can be scary, but being involved in a car accident with children in the car is even scarier. The force of an accident can have a significant impact on the exterior of your car, but it can also cause significant damage to the inside of your car. After being involved in a car accident, many parents wonder if they need to replace their child’s car seat. The answer often depends on several factors, including the manufacturer’s directions and the severity of the accident. Here are some things to consider. CAN I REUSE A CAR SEAT AFTER AN ACCIDENT? The answer is likely “no.” The force of a car crash can be extreme, and, since it’s often strong enough to bend the frame of your car, it can easily damage your child’s car seat, too. Even though you may not see the damage, there’s a good chance the plastic in the car seat has been weakened. Even if your child wasn’t in his/her car seat during the accident, it’s still important to

replace it. A car seat will take some of the crash impact even when a child isn’t in the seat. Many insurance companies will reimburse you for the cost if you need to replace the car seat. If another party was at fault, their insurance company may cover the cost. In order to have the cost covered, you’ll likely need to show the insurance company the receipt for the new car seat. NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S (NHTSA) GUIDELINES ON CAR SEATS AFTER AN ACCIDENT The NHTSA used to recommend you replace a car seat whenever it was in a car during an accident, regardless of the severity of the crash. However, the NHTSA has revised its recommendation in an attempt to reduce consumer and insurance costs and reduce the number of children without a car seat while the seat is being replaced.

The NHTSA recommends that car seats be replaced following a moderate or severe crash. This helps ensure a high level of crash protection for children in car seats. The NHTSA also states that car seats don’t automatically need to be replaced following a minor crash. Minor crashes are those that meet all of the following criteria: • The car was able to be driven away from the crash site. • The vehicle door closest to the car seat was undamaged. • There were no injuries to anyone in the car. • The air bags did not deploy. • There is no visible damage to the car seat. If you’re not sure whether to replace your child’s car seat after an accident, err on the side of caution and simply replace it. As the saying goes, “It’s better to be safe than sorry!”

Employee Spotlight: LitzyMozzo

Basil Berry Sorbet

Inspired by Good Housekeeping

Litzy Mozzo is one of our amazing legal assistants at the Dellutri Law Group! Before working at the Dellutri Law Group, Litzy was working at a company that takes care of truck drivers and their companies’ documentation. Her amazing customer service and organizational skills reflect tremendously on her job here at the Dellutri Law Group. When we asked Litzy what her favorite part of working here was,

Ingredients • 1 cup sugar • 1 cup fresh basil leaves

• 6 cups frozen mixed berries • 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice Directions 1. In a saucepan over high heat, combine sugar with 1 cup of water, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves, creating a syrup-like consistency.  2. Remove syrup from heat, add basil, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. Strain syrup into bowl and refrigerate until cold. 3. In a blender, combine syrup with frozen berries and lemon juice. Purée until smooth. 4. Transfer to a square baking pan, cover in plastic wrap, and freeze until set, about 2 hours.  5. Scoop and serve.

she replied, “I absolutely love everything I’ve learned and continue to learn every day. I definitely enjoy and learn a lot more when I translate for the attorneys and clients!” You can find Litzy working hard at the front of the office on important client calls, documents, and other important tasks. When Litzy isn’t working you can find her hanging out with friends. They are always taking turns cooking dinner and hosting domino and Parcheesi nights at each other’s houses. Her favorite thing to do is barbecue at her house and hit the beach on Sundays! Litzy’s other passions include makeup, traveling, dancing, and relaxing with family and friends. We are so thrilled to have an amazing person like Litzy as a part of our Dellutri Law Group family!

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