Defective Seat Belt

When a vehicle has a seatbelt system failure it can contribute to serious injury or even a passenger being ejected from the vehicle during an automobile accident.

A properly functioning seatbelt is arguably the most important safety aspect of an automobile. It can prevent or reduce otherwise serious or deadly injuries resulting from an automobile crash. On the other hand, a defective seatbelt can contribute to the injuries suffered in an accident. Seat belt system defects can include:

• Unlatching upon impact
• Torn or ripped webbing
• Retractor failure
• "Tension-relieving" devices
• Faulty seatbelt geometry
• System failures
• Automatic belt systems
• Lap-only belts

There are warning signs that indicate that a seat belt defect may have caused or contributed to an injury. For instance, if one belted occupant was seriously injured, but another belted occupant was not, this could indicate a seatbelt system defect. Other suspicious circumstances include, but are not limited to the following: an occupant suffers serious injury from a minor accident; an occupant suffers serious injury when the vehicle has not sustained much damage; a belted occupant hits the front windshield; an occupant is found unbelted despite claims that he/she was belted prior to the accident; and the presence of torn or ripped seatbelt webbing. If these or other suspicious circumstances exist at a crash scene, it is crucial to preserve the vehicle and its seat belt system. Proving a seatbelt defect requires this evidence.

At the Newsome Law Firm, our attorneys have experience handling defective seatbelt claims and can help determine whether a defective seatbelt caused unnecessary injury. Contact Us today.

Related Document Links

• Sources of Defect Information for a Personal Injury, Product Liability Vehicle Case (Legal Articles)
• May the Force Be With You An Update on Consumer Expectations (Legal Articles)
• Seatbelt Buckles Unlatch In Crashes (Legal Articles)
• Seat Belt Failure (Legal Articles)