The function of a seat belt, lap belt, or safety belt is to keep you safe during a car accident. Wearing seat belts is required on the road because of how effective a quality seat belt can be. However, seat belts may cause or fail to prevent injury when they’re defective.
Have you recently sustained injuries you believe resulted from seat belt failure? Compensation for your losses may be available if so. Discuss the matter with a legal professional representing victims of seat belt failure.
At Munley Law, we have the experience necessary to show how a faulty seat belt caused the injuries for which you deserve compensation. Learn more about how we can help by contacting our product liability attorneys today for a free case evaluation.
Understanding Seat Belt Failures and Your Legal Rights
Defective seat belts can take many forms. Common examples of auto defects specifically involving a vehicle’s seat belts include:
- False latching, in which a seat belt may seem to latch properly without actually doing so
- Retractor failure, which prevents someone from tightening a seat belt
- Inertial unlatching, a problem that can occur when the inertia of a collision causes a defective seat belt to unlatch on its own
- Poor design, meaning a seat belt is generally designed in such a way as to offer insufficient protection
- Tension detector malfunctions, preventing a defective seat belt from properly gauging tension
Those are just a few examples of defective seatbelts. Potential causes of seat belt failure include:
- Missing parts
- Design errors
- Manufacturing errors
Unfortunately, belt failure may result from someone’s negligence. A careless seat belt designer or manufacturer could make errors, resulting in harm to drivers and passengers.
Ways seat belt defects can cause or contribute to injuries include:
- A defective seat belt could dig into someone’s skin during a collision, causing contusions or abrasions.
- A seat belt defect could cause it to unlatch during a collision, potentially allowing a passenger to be thrown around or from the vehicle.
- A defective seat belt may stop someone with too much force during a collision because of inaccurate tension detection, which may lead to injuries like broken ribs.
- False latching could also cause a vehicle occupant to believe they’re protected when they’re not, which could negatively influence their safety in a car accident.
Those are just a few examples of ways safety belts can actually cause harm (and even serious injury) when they’re defective. If you believe you sustained injuries because of seat belt defects, you may be eligible for compensation. A lawyer handling defective auto parts claims can assist with your case and optimize your chances of receiving what you deserve. Contact Munley Law to get started with a free consultation.
Navigating Defective Seat Belt Lawsuits
Seeking compensation for injuries resulting from seat belt failures usually involves filing a product liability claim or lawsuit. In many states, the legal theory of strict liability applies to product liability cases.
This means you don’t have to prove negligence when filing a claim or suing. You simply need to demonstrate that you sustained defective seat belt injuries. You have to show a defect existed and caused injury, but not necessarily that the defect existed because someone was negligent.
The process of filing a product liability claim may involve:
- Receiving medical care and documenting your medical expenses
- Reviewing your case with an attorney handling cases involving defective seat belts
- Gathering evidence
- Filing an insurance claim requesting compensation for specified losses
- Negotiating with the insurance company for a settlement
- Filing a lawsuit and seeking damages in court if the insurance company won’t settle
You don’t have to handle these tasks yourself. Seat belt injury lawyers can handle them on your behalf. This may be particularly helpful as you recover from injuries.
Seat belt injury lawyers can also investigate to determine who should be considered liable in your case. Potentially liable parties when a seat belt fails include:
- Vehicle designers
- Seat belt designers
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Seat belt manufacturers
Those are the most common examples. In unique cases, other parties may be held liable, such as companies responsible for vehicle maintenance. Lawyers with experience representing clients seeking compensation for seat belt injuries can investigate thoroughly to identify all the liable parties in your case.
Be aware that there’s a deadline for taking legal action. For example, in Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations requires you to file a product liability lawsuit within two years of the date you were injured.
Don’t wait to take legal action. Missing the deadline could cause you to lose your right to sue. Get started on your case now by contacting Munley Law to schedule a consultation.
Compensation for Defective Seat Belt Cases
Seeking compensation for injuries resulting from seat belt failures usually involves filing a product liability claim or lawsuit. In many states, the legal theory of strict liability applies to product liability cases.
This means you don’t have to prove negligence when filing a claim or suing. You simply need to demonstrate that you sustained defective seat belt injuries. You have to show a defect existed and caused injury, but not necessarily that the defect existed because someone was negligent.
The process of filing a product liability claim may involve:
- Receiving medical care and documenting your medical expenses
- Reviewing your case with an attorney handling cases involving defective seat belts
- Gathering evidence
- Filing an insurance claim requesting compensation for specified losses
- Negotiating with the insurance company for a settlement
- Filing a lawsuit and seeking damages in court if the insurance company won’t settle
You don’t have to handle these tasks yourself. Seat belt injury lawyers can handle them on your behalf. This may be particularly helpful as you recover from injuries.
Seat belt injury lawyers can also investigate to determine who should be considered liable in your case. Potentially liable parties when a seat belt fails include:
- Vehicle designers
- Seat belt designers
- Vehicle manufacturers
- Seat belt manufacturers
Those are the most common examples. In unique cases, other parties may be held liable, such as companies responsible for vehicle maintenance. With experience representing clients seeking compensation for seat belt injuries, our auto product liability lawyers can investigate thoroughly to identify all the liable parties in your case.
The Role of Expert Witnesses in Seat Belt Defect Cases
Lawyers can help in many ways when defective seatbelts result in injury. For example, we can coordinate with outside experts whose testimony may strengthen your case. Examples include:
- Doctors: Doctors and other such medical professionals can explain how your injuries likely occurred. This can be helpful when there may be questions about the direct cause of injuries, which is possible in a complex car accident case.
- Collision analysts: Collision analysts and similar professionals bring an understanding of physics and other such topics to a seat belt failure case. Their expertise can help explain a defect and demonstrate how it caused injury.
- Seat belt design experts: These experts can explain how poor seat belt design contributed to injuries.
There are some challenges to proving seat belt defects. They include:
- Proving another factor during a car accident didn’t cause injuries
- Proving a defective condition wasn’t the result of damage during a collision
- Showing how a victim may have avoided serious injuries had a seat belt not been defective
Navigating these challenges is much easier with the help of experts. Benefit from our network of expert witnesses by calling Munley Law now to discuss your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Defective Seat Belt Claims
Can I still file a claim if I wasn’t wearing a seat belt?
You may still file a vehicle accident claim if you were injured in an accident while not wearing a seat belt. However, only in rare circumstances can you successfully show a seat belt defect caused your injuries if you weren’t wearing the seat belt when you were injured. Our team can help you better understand whether you should submit a seat belt defect claim or a general car accident claim.
How long does a defective seat belt lawsuit typically take?
There’s no universal answer to this question. It’s sometimes possible to resolve an auto defect lawsuit in about three months (or less). However, for a more complex case, such as one including spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and other such factors, it could take over a year to resolve a case.
What if the car manufacturer has filed for bankruptcy?
You may still have options if the manufacturer you’re suing has filed for bankruptcy. For example, you may provide proof of a claim with the relevant bankruptcy court. Never hesitate to discuss your case with a professional if you have questions about such matters.
Have more questions? Our attorneys are ready to provide answers. Contact us today.
The Impact of Defective Seat Belts on Child Safety
Special regulations apply to child restraint systems. Manufacturers, designers, and consumers must abide by such regulations to ensure the safety of children. Special damages may be available in a case involving seat belt failure and injury to child vehicle occupants.
Protecting your child’s future is our priority. Speak with a Munley Law attorney about your child’s case.
Munley Law’s Approach to Defective Seat Belt Cases
Munley Law is a personal injury firm that has been in business for 65 years. That’s because we offer our clients the dedicated representation they deserve. We have extensive experience handling personal injury cases involving seat belt failure.
You don’t have to take our word for it. We’re prepared to discuss past cases and successes. We can also provide testimonials from past clients who were thrilled with the service we provided.
Client advocacy is our commitment. We believe you deserve a strong voice when seeking compensation for injuries resulting from seat belt failure. Having that voice requires enlisting the right help.
Choose experienced representation. Call Munley Law for a free consultation today.
