At Tramontozzi Law, we are well aware of the potential dangers seat belt defects present, and that they can cause life altering injuries or even death. When the seat belt safety system fails, you and your loved ones are put in harms way. At times like this, it’s critical that you have a strong and clear advocate. Our mission is to protect your interests in order to ensure you and your family have access to the greatest possible quality of life following the incident.
The phrase, “seat belts save lives” is well known. While it is normally the case, if the seat belt and its mechanisms don’t function properly, the seat belt can cause severe injuries including:
- Fractured spines
- Paralysis
- Quadriplegia
- Paraplegia
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Blindness
- Loss of limbs
- Severe spinal injuries
- Burns
- Scarring
- Death
Seat Belt Manufacturer’s Responsibility to the Occupant
The role of the seat belt in collisions is to minimize injuries produced by the impact. The seat belt should hold the occupant securely in the seat, and minimize or eliminate a person’s contact with the windshield, dashboard, steering wheel or roof. In some instances, seat belt failure has been determined to be the cause of ejection from a vehicle through the windshield. Examples of faulty manufacturing and poor seat belt design can include:
- Latch problems
- Sensor failure
- Defective belting or webbing material
- Retractor failure
- Poor seat belt geometry
Injuries Caused by Lap Seat Belt Designs
Up until the late 1980s, shoulder belts were not mandatory in the rear seats of most cars in the United States. In fact, lap/shoulder belts were not required for rear seats of vehicles until 1989. Many of those older vehicles are still out on the road today.
“Lap only” belts may be among the most dangerous auto defect problems in existence today and are among the worst design defects. Lap seat belts isolate the violent impact to a person’s midsection, often resulting in severe injuries to the internal organs and spinal cord. This design can cause deadly internal bleeding or organ injuries. Some of the older lap seat belt designs can actually cause more damage than if the person had not been wearing them at all.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective seat belt, schedule a free consultation with John Tramontozzi at the Tramontozzi Law offices. As a former insurance defense counsel, he has extensive knowledge from working on both sides of the issue as well as years in private practice. This experience saves time, worry, and minimizes unnecessary expenses. Contact John Tramontozzi at Tramontozzi Law Offices for a free initial consultation.