Yes, a child’s car seat should be replaced after a moderate or severe crash. While the seat might still be usable after a minor crash, you need to know what to look for to determine whether the seat needs replacement.
Nevada has strict car seat laws in place to help protect children during car accidents, and you should always follow the law that applies to your situation. Keep reading below to learn everything you need to know about Nevada’s car seat laws and what to do after an accident.
Nevada’s Child Car Seat Laws
The car seat laws in Nevada are very specific about how your child should be buckled when riding in a motor vehicle. It is advised to keep your child in the back seat of the vehicle until at least age 12, although this is not always legally required.
The important facts you need to know about the car seat laws are:
- Rear-facing seats: All children age two and under should be in a rear-facing car seat, buckled in the back seat. Your child should remain in this setup until they reach the manufacturer’s height and weight limits.
- Toddler seat with harness: You should keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible. However, once they outgrow the rear-facing seat, you can move them to a forward-facing toddler seat with a harness. Your child should remain in this seat until they hit the height and weight limit of the seat.
- Booster seat: Your child should move to a booster seat once they outgrow the forward-facing seat. Even in the booster, your child should be in the backseat whenever possible. Children usually move into a booster seat around age 4 to 7.
- Seat belts: To use a regular seat belt, your child must be at least 6 years old and at least 57 inches tall. Even if they meet these requirements, it is recommended to continue using a booster seat until the seat belt fits properly without modifications.
It is worth mentioning that taxi cabs are exempt from the child car seat laws in Nevada. However, it is strongly recommended that you bring along your own car seat if you and your child need to ride in a taxi.
Penalties for Violating the Car Seat Laws
Violating the car seat laws in Nevada can come with some serious penalties. You could find yourself facing the following:
- First offense: Fines of up to $500 or up to 50 hours of community service
- Second offense: Fines of up to $1,000 or up to 100 hours of community service
- Third and subsequent offenses: Suspension of your driver’s license for up to 180 days
Nevada takes child safety seriously, so always make sure your child is properly buckled up. Failing to do so could have some serious legal and financial consequences, and you are also putting your child at a substantial risk of injury in the event of a car accident.
NHTSA Car Seat Replacement Guidelines
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends replacing a car seat after a moderate or severe crash. Car seats do not always have to be replaced after a minor accident.
To be considered a minor accident, ALL of the following must be true:
- You were able to drive the vehicle away from the crash
- The door closest to the car seat was not damaged
- None of the passengers in the vehicle were injured
- The airbags (if any) in the vehicle did not deploy
- The car seat has no visible damage
Always be sure to check the owner’s manual that came with your car seat for more information about the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is possible that those recommendations could differ from the recommendations of the NHTSA.
You should always follow the guidelines used by your car seat’s manufacturer.
When Should a Car Seat Be Replaced?
Replacing your child’s car seat when necessary is crucial to keeping them safe. Always perform regular inspections of your child’s car seat to look for wear or damage. This is especially important after a crash.
You should replace the car seat if:
- The expiration date has passed
- The seat has frayed straps
- There are any cracks in the plastic
- The seat has been exposed to extreme conditions
- The seat has been involved in a moderate or severe crash
Having your child safely secured in the proper car seat can help reduce the risk of brain injuries, broken bones, and other catastrophic injuries during an accident. Therefore, it is critical to replace the car seat when necessary and buckle up your child.
Contact a Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer To Schedule a Free Consultation
Replacing a child’s car seat after a crash is one of the simplest ways to protect your child in the aftermath of an accident. Whether the collision is minor, moderate, or severe, it’s important to evaluate the car seat carefully, follow NHTSA guidelines, and double-check the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you have questions about your rights after a crash or need guidance on the next steps in Nevada, contact De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers. We offer a free consultation with a Las Vegas car accident lawyer.
We have three locations in Nevada for your convenience, including Las Vegas, Summerlin, and Henderson. We’re proud to serve Clark County and the surrounding areas.
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Las Vegas Office
1149 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 222-9999
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Summerlin Office
410 S Rampart Blvd, Ste 480 Las Vegas, NV 89145
(702) 964-1806
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers – Henderson Office
9555 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123
(702) 800-3455
About the Author
Alex De Castroverde earned his law degree from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law and is licensed to practice in Nevada. He is a dedicated trial lawyer who assists clients across Las Vegas in a wide range of legal matters, with a focus on personal injury. Alex has successfully represented clients in cases involving car accidents, catastrophic injuries, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents and more. Click here to learn more about the outstanding case results Alex has achieved for his clients.
