Seat belts save thousands of lives each year. They are one of numerous safety features in cars, which can also include automatic braking systems and airbags. The seat belt design has remained essentially the same for decades, with some alterations and experiments over the years. Because it has been demonstrated as an effective life-saving mechanism, it has not been drastically changed. There are many risks involved with driving without a seat belt, but if you are wearing one, you are not automatically exempt from suffering any damage. You can still be severely injured if you have a seat belt on. In the worst cases, these injuries happen due to defective seat belts, or belts that have broken or malfunctioned because of the company’s error or because a mechanic messed the belt up. No matter what the reason, if you are hurt, you can take legal action against the responsible party. People ask us why seat belt cases are so dangerous, and we tell them that it’s because of the potential for things to go wrong. If you wish to speak with a talented seat belt accident lawyer, you can reach out to our skilled car accident and product liability attorneys at the Downtown LA Law Group.

Seat Belt Information

Seat belts were designed to protect individuals in the event of crashes. The first belts were simply placed across the waist, but eventually, shoulder belts were introduced. As technology improved, the belts became sturdier and could withstand more impact. The belts also faced some experimentation, such as being connected to the door on a track or coming across the body twice like a harness. When seat belts have defects, the risks of injuries greatly increase. Companies manufacturing automobiles may not have adequately inspected or tested the seatbelts, which could lead to trouble for many drivers. A few of the ways that seat belt malfunctions are so dangerous can be found below:

• Seat belts that do not properly retract or have too much slack or spool do not function properly and apply correct pressure or tightness to the driver. This can mean that the seat belt is essentially not present. Slack seat belts do not protect any drivers in the event of crashes.
• Latch troubles may cause the belt to not buckle properly. It could appear to be buckled and may even be somewhat taut, but at the first impact, it could dislodge. If the belt is also not secured to the seat, the buckle could fall off. It may also not have proper screws keeping it together.
• Seat belts made from improper materials could break during impacts. They may tear or rip easily once a body gets pushed into them, and it is important that the belts hold up under stress and pressure.

– California Seat Belt Defect Attorney

A seat belt that has a defect essentially makes every trip dangerous. You should not drive a vehicle with a defective seat belt until it is fixed y a mechanic. If the seat belt defect is only noticed after an incident, you should take legal action against the automobile company to get it fixed on their dime and avoid driving the car until it is safe. Bear in mind that some seat belts are still dangerous even if they are not defective. Some belts are awkwardly placed in vehicles with deep seats, especially if you are not tall. This can cause the belts to do across the face or neck, which can make it easy for damages from the belt to happen. There have been multiple accounts of burns, strangulation, lacerations, and other types of injuries due to belts that do not properly stretch across the shoulder.

Learn more about your options for compensation by calling (855) 339-8879.

If you were injured because of a broken seat belt, you can take legal action against the manufacturer of the vehicle in addition to the responsible driver. Our team of car crash lawyers can make sure that you are properly compensated for your damages.

Injuries Due To Defective Seat Belts

Seat belts are meant to protect passengers and drivers. Those who do not wear their seat belts are at a greatly increased risk of injury and death. When a seat belt is defective, there are equally as many opportunities for damages to happen. Because the seat belt will not properly work if it is defective, there are many injuries that can happen, including the following

• Fractures
• Broken bones
• Concussions
• Dislocations
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Closed head injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Knee and hip injuries
• Neck injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Herniated or slipped discs
• Facial damages
• Puncture wounds
• Crushing injuries
• Brain damage
• Severed limbs and digits
• Torn muscles and ligaments
• Nerve damage and neurological injuries
• Aggravation of previous injuries
• Whiplash
• Paraplegia
• Quadriplegia
• Coma
• Death

– Defective Bumbo Baby Seat Lawsuit

There is the chance that you will suffer long lasting or permanent injuries from the incident if your seat belt was defective. Defective seat belt cases are so dangerous because they make an already-dangerous situation even more so. If you have been hurt in a car accident and you were further injured because of an effective or malfunctioning seat belt, you can contact our law firm for more assistance.

– My seat belt failed to work

Filing A Claim For A Seat Belt Injury

Involvement in a car accident can result in a lawsuit against the responsible party. If you were hurt, you could file a claim against the driver’s insurance agency. However, if you were damaged because of the seat belt breaking or not properly working, you could raise a claim against the automobile company. You would likely file a product liability claim.

– Seat belt class action lawsuit attorney

This claim would require you to show that there was a design flaw with the seat belt, a manufacturing error that caused the belts to be defective, or a lack of warnings on the seat belt that prevented you from acting safely and appropriately. If there is a recall issued for only certain models of vehicles using the seat belt, then it was likely a manufacturing error that does not extend to other cars. To effectively file a claim, you should submit a bundle of evidence to the company for consideration. Your evidence package should include the following:

• Pictures of the seat belt itself showcasing the defects or troubles, or the actual seatbelt still in the car (it is important that you do not get the seatbelt fixed or repaired in the meantime, as you will lose your most important piece of evidence if you do)
• Pictures of your injuries and the damage to your vehicle and the surrounding environment
• Statements and testimonies from passengers or other individuals who can back up your statement about the defective seat belt

Find out more about how we can help you. Call (855) 339-8879 to speak with a representative now.

– Seat Belt Defects

You may also choose to include a copy of the police report and any video footage you can acquire. It is recommended that you go to the hospital as quickly as you can after the incident so you have ample treatment and you do not risk being further injured. The paramedics or doctor can evaluate your damages and determine if you have any damages that are hidden or may show up later. Some seat belt injuries may cause injuries that appear after the accident, such as deep bruising. You should contact one of our defective seat belt lawyers for assistance moving forward with your claim.

Time Limit To Sue The Automobile Company

If you wish to file a claim against the responsible automobile company, you must take legal action within 2 years of the date of the injury. Product liability claims and car accident lawsuits are both areas of personal injury, and thus, you do not have an unlimited time to sue. If you take too long to take legal action, you will be prevented from pursuing any compensation at all. You can have the deadline extended in a few situations. If you were underage at the time of the incident, you can file a claim once you turn 18 years old. You can also wait to sue if you were left mentally or physically incapacitated after the incident.

– What is the value of my seat belt defect lawsuit?

Our attorneys will be able to correctly determine the accurate timetable for your claim. We will not miss any deadlines and will have your claim filed well on time. Call our expert seat belt defect lawyers today at (855) 339-8879 for more assistance.

Choosing Us

Our team of experienced seat belt defect attorneys at the Downtown LA Law Group has recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We have taken on product liability claims and lawsuits involving drivers and accidents for years. Our attorneys are aggressive and will not stop pursuing your rightful compensation until we are satisfied. You are our number one priority. Get in touch with our firm for a free legal consultation. We are available around the clock and will never discuss your case details with anyone else. For the best help, hire our firm to represent you. We will give you our zero fee guarantee, which states that you won’t pay a dime of out of pocket expenses throughout the case. We will only get paid if we win, and if we lose, we take no payment whatsoever. Let our qualified team of seat belt accident lawyers at the Downtown LA Law Group represent you today.