Seatbelt Defects

Seatbelts are credited with saving thousands of lives and are invaluable as a safety device when accidents occur. In fact, all major automakers stress in their marketing and vehicle manuals the importance of wearing seatbelts to prevent injuries. However, when these critical safety systems fail serious injuries and wrongful deaths can result.

Seatbelt failures can be the result of poor design or a manufacturing defect. Regardless of the cause, the most important evidence in a seatbelt defect case is the seatbelt system itself. By looking at the seatbelt system an expert can often determine whether the belt performed as intended or not. The clues are not always readily apparent, but if a vehicle occupant is injured or killed under suspicious circumstances, then precautions should be taken to evaluate if a seatbelt failure occurred.

As a general matter, seatbelts are intended to keep occupants restrained in their seats and to minimize undesired movement during an accident. If the seatbelt does not adequately contain an occupant then a claim may arise. For example, if an occupant is ejected despite being belted, then a seatbelt defect claim may well exist. Other examples include the unlatching of a belt during an accident, the failure of the seatbelt to lock up on impact, or the inability of the belt to adequately protect children.

We can help

At the Didier Law Firm we understand the complex issues involved in seatbelt defect cases, and have experience in pursuing these claims on behalf of consumers when their seatbelt fails them. If we can be of any assistance please do not hesitate to call us.