Defective Seat Belts

Cincinnati defective seatbelt attorneys

Cincinnati Defective Seat Belt Attorneys

Seat belts have become mandatory in cars manufactured and sold throughout the world for a very good reason – they drastically reduce the rate of fatal and serious injury crashes. As such, every driver and passenger puts a great deal of faith in these safety devices. We trust that they will work when we need them to – and they usually do. Seat belt defects are especially frustrating because they are a fundamental and ubiquitous guardrail in everyday life.

One of the best ways to ensure important safety products like seat belts are safe is by holding manufacturers accountable when they fail. There needs to be a severe disincentive for mistakes in seat belt efficacy. At the Buckeye Law Group, we’re committed to holding manufacturers accountable when their safety products don’t work as intended. We’ll fight for you and your family after a seat belt injury.

Most Common Types of Seat Belt Failures

• Inertial unlatching: This occurs when the seat belt buckle releases unintentionally during a collision due to the forces involved, leaving the occupant unprotected. Seat belts are supposed to be designed to withstand the types of extreme pressure common in crashes. It’s usually a sign of a serious defect when they can’t remain secure.
• False latching: This happens when the seat belt appears to be latched but is not securely fastened, which can result in the belt coming undone during an accident.
• Retractor failure: The retractor is responsible for tightening the seat belt and locking it in place during a crash. If the retractor fails, the belt may not adequately restrain the passenger or driver and halt their forward momentum in a crash.
• Weak or frayed webbing: Over time, the fabric of the seat belt may weaken, fray or tear, compromising its ability to properly restrain the occupant in a crash.
• Anchor point failure: Seat belts are anchored to the vehicle’s frame. If the anchor points are weak or poorly designed, they may detach during an accident, rendering the seat belt ineffective.
• Improper belt routing: If the seat belt does not properly route across the occupant’s body (e.g., across the lap and diagonally across the chest), it may not effectively distribute crash forces, leading to injuries.

Not all of these defects are obvious after an accident. False latching is an example where you may know your seat belt failed but an investigator can’t see the defect by simply looking at it. Investigation is key in proving many of these defects. Our team will work tirelessly to show your seat belt failure led to your injuries.

Types of Injuries Common After Seat Belt Failure

There are two categories of seat belt defects, each leading to a different set of potential injuries.

• If a seat belt fails to restrain a vehicle occupant during an accident, it allows the driver or passengers to either collide with the interior of the vehicle or be ejected from the vehicle, almost inevitably resulting in serious, severe and sometimes even fatal injuries.
• Seat belt defects that cause the driver or passengers to be improperly restrained can potentially result in increased force on certain areas of the body, leading to a variety of potential injuries.

Injuries caused by seat belt defects can vary greatly depending on the nature of the defect and the specifics of the accident. Some common types of injuries associated with seat belt defects include:

• Head and neck injuries, such as whiplash, concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
• Chest injuries, like broken ribs, internal organ damage or punctured lungs.
• Abdominal injuries, including damage to internal organs or internal bleeding.
• Spinal injuries, which can potentially lead to paralysis or other long-term disabilities.
• Pelvic and hip injuries, such as fractures or dislocations.
• Arm or leg injuries, like broken bones, lacerations or contusions.