A seat belt defect lawyer can help you recover damages suffered due to a seat belt defect in your vehicle. While seat belt defects are rarely the cause of accidents, seat belt failure can lead to accident injuries that victims might otherwise not have suffered.
Most drivers do not realize that there are millions of vehicles on the road today that have defective seat belts. Many times, vehicle manufacturers are aware that their cars have defective seat belts but they choose to ignore the situation and fail to protect their customers.
If you are in a car accident with seat belts that do not properly work or fail to work at all, you are entitled to recover damages for your injuries and losses.
Common Types of Seat Belt Defects That Cause Injuries
Injuries caused by defective seat belts can happen for a number of reasons, including:
Inertial unlatching. In some cases, a seat belt can become unlatched due to the sudden force of an accident. Because the seat belt is unlatched, the occupant is unrestrained and can sustain injuries inside the vehicle or even be ejected from the vehicle cabin entirely. Although inertial unlatching can happen in any type of car accident, it is more common in rollover accidents.
Lap belts only. Some vehicles have rear and middle seats that have only lap belts. This lack of a shoulder belt can cause serious — and sometimes even fatal — internal injuries.
Defective lap or shoulder seat belt retractors. When seat belt retractors fail, there is too much lack in the lap or shoulder belt. Not only does this allow occupants to collide with objects in the vehicle, it can cause serious injury and death.
Torn or ripped webbing. If seat belt webbing is torn or ripped, it will not be as strong as it should be and can fail under pressure. Tears and rips in seat belt webbing can happen during manufacturing or during an accident.
Free Legal Consultations for Car Accidents with Seat Belt Defects
If your accident involved a seat belt defect, you may be entitled to compensation for losses due to medical bills, lost wages and more. For a free legal consultation to understand your case and legal options, call seat belt defect lawyer Karl Gebhard. He will act swiftly to help you protect your rights and build your case. All services are offered on a contingency basis.
For your free consultation, call today at 414-873-6550.