Seat Belt Defects
Seat belts are meant to protect passengers and save lives in the event of an automobile accident. Most deaths in automobile accidents occur as a result of passengers who were not wearing their seat belts. However, despite the protection seat belts offer, sometimes seat belts are defective and can malfunction and be the cause of major injuries.
If seat belt malfunctions are noticed and reported, often companies will issue a recall and will replace the seat belts with updated, safer versions. However, many motorists are unaware of the recalls due to a lack of notification from the company or because they bought a used car whose previous owners should have been notified and fixed the issue. Seat belts can have a variety of different defects.
- Faulty buckle design: Some buckles in older cars can fall open during an impact because the weight of the person hitting the back of the buckle activates the spring-release inside the buckle.
- Faulty release button design: In certain buckles, the release button is so prominent that it can be inadvertently pushed by the occupant during an accident.
- Lack of a shoulder strap: Many back seats in vehicles are equipped with only lap belts, rather than both a lap belt and a shoulder strap. The shoulder strap provides only head and neck protection for an occupant during an impact.
Contact Us
Properly-worn seat belts can save lives during car accidents. However, sometimes seat belt malfunction can be the ultimate cause of injuries and death. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a faulty seat belt, contact the Stevens Point seat belt injury lawyers of Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. ® at 800-242-2874 to discuss your case with a knowledgeable attorney.
