How Safe Are You? - Defective Seat Belts and Airbags
When you get in the car, you probably assume that any dangers you might face are out on the road. You wouldn’t think that the most risky aspect of your travels could be right there in your own vehicle. Unfortunately, defective seat belts and airbags can pose a huge danger to you and your family, and in some cases, they could make the consequences of a car accident even more severe. Vehicle manufacturers have a responsibility to protect consumers through careful construction and monitoring of auto safety features. If you or a loved one has been injured because of a defective seat belt or airbag, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. Long Island personal injury attorney Ira Slavit represents those who have been injured as a result of defective airbags and seatbelts.
The Dangers of Defective Seat Belts
There is no doubt that seatbelts are an essential part of auto safety. According to 2002 data from the Naval Safety Center, nearly 60% of those killed in car accidents were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. However, on rare but tragic occasions, defective seat belts can fail to provide adequate protection.
There are two primary types of defective seatbelt claims: defectively manufactured seatbelts and insufficient seat belts. Defects in manufacturing are typically not apparent to the consumer, but they should be quite obvious to auto experts who conduct extensive crash tests. One of the most common manufacturing defects involves the locking mechanism of the belt; when a collision occurs at a certain angle or speed, the lock may open, ejecting passengers or drivers from the seat. Insufficient seat belts fail to offer adequate protection in the case of an accident. Typically, insufficient seat belts only extend across the lap; the best seatbelts cross over the shoulders as well as the lap. When a seat belt cannot adequately restrain children in the case of a collision, this may also be grounds for an insufficient seat belt claim.
When Airbags Pose a Risk
Airbags are another invaluable safety feature that can cause serious harm when they are improperly designed, manufactured, or installed. Alarmingly, airbags may pose a greater risk than most people think. The National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration reported 238 deaths caused by airbags between 1990 and 2002. All of these deaths occurred in low-speed crashes, making it apparent that the airbag was responsible for the deaths. Mary C. Meyer, a statistician at the University of Georgia, points out that there is probably a much higher rate of airbag-related deaths, but because these occur in high-speed crashes, the fatalities are attributed to the impact of the collision.
Some of the most common airbag defects include:
- Deploying with too much force
- Not deploying on time
- Deploying unexpectedly or in minor accidents in which they are unnecessary
- Deploying at angle that causes injury to those under 4’11” or above 6’3”
Such defects can lead to broken bones, eye trauma, blindness, whiplash, neck or back injuries, severe head trauma, and even death.
What You Can Do
If a defective seat belt or airbag has resulted in serious harm to you or your loved one, an experienced defective products lawyer can help you get the financial compensation you deserve. Contact attorney Ira Slavit to learn more about defective products cases and to obtain an initial consultation.
