The law in Oklahoma requires young children of various ages, heights, and weights to be restrained in specific types of car seats. The Oklahoma car seat laws are designed to ensure that young children are protected in a car accident. If you have young children, you should familiarize yourself with which types of car seats your children require.
If you have more questions about Oklahoma’s car seat laws and when you should replace a car seat after an accident, reach out to Ryan Bisher Ryan Simons. You’ll get a free, no-obligation case evaluation where you can learn more about how we can help.
Overview of Oklahoma Car Seat Laws
Under Oklahoma law, children under certain ages and heights must be secured in car seats or booster seats when riding in vehicles. Seat requirements include the following:
- Up to two years old — Infants and children under two years old must be secured in a rear-facing car seat until they exceed the height and weight limits of commercially available car seats.
- Two to four years old — Children aged two to four must be secured in a forward-facing car seat with an internal, five-point harness. This should be used until the child exceeds the harnesses’ weight limit.
- Four to eight years old — Children between the ages of four and eight must be seated in a child passenger restraint system or booster seat until they reach 4’ 9” tall.
Regardless of age, all children taller than 4’ 9” must be restrained by the vehicle’s seat belt system. However, younger children should ideally sit in the rear seat of a vehicle if available, since vehicle airbag systems can injure young children.
Do I Need to Replace My Car Seats After an Accident in Oklahoma?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that car seats do need to be replaced after an accident considered moderate or severe. Seats do not need to be replaced after a minor accident. A minor accident that does not require car seat replacement is defined as any crash where all the following apply:
- The vehicle could be safely driven away from the accident site.
- The vehicle door nearest to the car seat was not damaged.
- No vehicle occupants suffered injuries.
- The vehicle’s airbags did not deploy.
- The car seat did not sustain any visible damage.
A car seat should be replaced after a moderate to severe accident, even if your child was not seated in the car seat during the accident. When in doubt, defer to the car seat manufacturer’s guidelines.
Does Insurance Cover Car Seat Replacements After Accidents?
If you have been involved in a car accident severe enough to require the replacement of a car seat under NHTSA guidelines, the insurance company will likely provide compensation for the cost of replacing the car seat. If you provide receipts and photos, you may be able to have the insurance company cover the replacement with your car accident insurance claim. Insurers will normally provide compensation equal to the value of the seat you had, based on the model and condition of the seat before the crash.
Talk to an Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Oklahoma City Today
Were you and your child injured in an Oklahoma City car accident? If so, contact Ryan Bisher Ryan Simons today for help right away. Our Oklahoma car accident attorneys will be ready to discuss your crash and how we could help you seek compensation and justice.
We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable.
