Injuries from Seat Belt Failures

Over the last few decades, there has been a campaign to get all drivers to wear seat belts so they can be protected if they are involved in car crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported in 2012 that the use of seat belts in passenger vehicles was responsible for saving about 12,546 lives in 2010. Nevertheless, seat belts are not always as safe as drivers would think. This is particularly the case when seat belts are not made correctly.

Many seat belts have hidden defects. They can have defective buckles that unlatch during an accident. Many manufacturers use cheap materials, which cause the shoulder straps to fail in properly restraining a person during impact. Problems such as these prevent the seatbelts from serving their intended purpose, which is to protect drivers and passengers when they are met with the high force of a collision.

When a seat belt fails, the driver or passenger of a vehicle can be sent crashing into a steering wheel, a window or windshield, a console, another seat or another person. In even worse situations, the individual can be thrown out of the vehicle. Catastrophic injuries that can result include bone fractures, concussions, brain injuries, disfigurement, internal organ damage, spinal cord injury, paralysis and more.

Seat belt failure is one of many types of automobile defects that can occur. In some instances, the problem is recognized through recalls, which involves the manufacturer notifying the public about the danger and offering repair or replacement, free of charge. For example, in March 2012, Subaru recalled more than 275,000 Forester crossovers because the NHTSA discovered that the back seat’s center-position seat belt might not provide enough security for a child-safety seat during an accident. In some cases, car and seat belt manufacturers might fail to notify the public about safety hazards, which can lead to even greater danger to drivers and passengers. A Los Angeles product liability attorney can assist persons suffering from seat belt failures.

Representation for Seat Belt Failure

At Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation, our product liability attorneys have the experience, knowledge and resources needed to successfully represent clients in the Los Angeles, helping them seek compensation for their injuries. When a client contacts our firm, a thorough investigation is made to isolate the cause of the seat belt failure. Our firm contacts the client's physician to learn about what type of care the client will need in the future, as well as whether the client sustained any permanent injuries. The firm then commences legal action to obtain medical expenses, hospitalization costs, lost income and pain and suffering damages for the client.

Shoop | A Professional Law Corporation has obtained large settlements and awards for its clients and has attained a reputation for skilled advocacy and vigilant representation of its clients' rights. Contact the firm today to schedule a free consultation!