Auto Accidents and Defective Seat Belts: Product Liability Litigation
The attorneys of Chanfrau & Chanfrau are strong advocates for the rights of accident victims. We have a record of helping those who are most in need throughout Central Florida, and we will fight diligently to ensure that our clients receive just compensation given their injuries and losses. Our personal injury and auto accident attorneys will not be intimidated, not even by corporate interests or parties of influence. This bravery in the face of powerful groups is especially crucial when it comes to product liability lawsuits that involve the automotive industry.
We want to use this blog post to focus on the issue of defective seat belts. When seat belts fail to work as intended, the results can be disastrous. In such cases, you need our legal team on your side.
Common Issues with Defective Seat Belts
When a seat belt fails, these tend to be the most common issues with the defective safety restraints:
- Unsecured latches/buckles
- Locking failure of the buckle mechanism
- Too much slack on lap and shoulder belts
- Weak door and seat belt mounts
- Belts become unbuckled unintentionally
In all of these cases, the seat belts fail to prevent injury, even in relatively minor auto accidents.
Injuries Caused by Defective Seat Belts
In addition to failing to prevent injury during auto accidents, there are cases in which defective seat belts may actually cause injuries to occur. In these cases, the position of the seat belt may result in major internal injuries around the hips, abdomen, upper shoulder, and neck. Auto companies need to be especially aware of these issues when designing their vehicles.
Defects with Child Safety Seats
Another issue to keep in mind that's related to defective seat belts is defects in child safety seats. Obviously babies and toddlers are too small to be safely protected with a car's existing seat belts. The use of a child safety seat is necessary for these young passengers. However, there are times when these safety restraints fail to function properly.
Some common problems with child safety seats include the following:
- Faulty belts or buckles
- Loose harnesses and straps
- Poorly positioned belts and buckles
- Slanting, inclines, or poor position of the seat
- Shattering of the seat casing
As with regular seat belts, failures of child safety seats may mean more than a failure to prevent injury. These flaws in design can also cause injuries to the child.
Seeking Industry Reforms for Improved Consumer Safety
When our attorneys take auto companies and other manufacturers to task, we aren't just seeking compensation for our clients. Ideally we are also seeking reform of the the industry as a whole. This allows us to prevent future accidents as a result of this sort of negligence and to ensure that consumers have safer vehicles in the future.
Learn More About Auto Accident Litigation
If you or someone that you care about has been injured in an auto accident that involved a defective auto part of any kind, it is of the utmost importance that you contact our personal injury attorneys today. The attorneys at our offices in Daytona Beach and Palm Coast will help you receive just compensation for any injuries sustained or losses that have been experienced.