Auto Defects Seat Belt Failure Lawyers Representing Clients Nationally

Atlanta Auto Defects Lawyers Representing Those Injured in Car Accidents Caused by Seat Belt Failure

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that at least 10,000 lives are saved each year by seat belts and even more people avoid serious or catastrophic injury.But what happens when these safety devices fail?At Butler Prather LLP, our Georgia-based attorneys believe that we should be able to trust that the cars we purchased are safe. When a defective seat belt leads to preventable serious injury, we are prepared to hold the manufacturer and/or designer accountable for your injuries, wherever they occur, nationwide.

Atlanta Car Accidents Caused By Seat Belt Failure

A three-point harness system that includes a shoulder and a lap belt can prevent serious injury from the impact of a crash. But, a defective seat belt will not. This type of auto defect often goes undiscovered until it is too late, resulting in preventable head, neck or spinal cord injury after a crash.

When a seat belt fails, a vehicle occupant may be:

Ejected from the car
Thrown into the windshield, dash or other passengers
Tossed around the inside of the car if the vehicle rolls over, possibly colliding with the roof, windows or other parts of the car

A seat belt failure may be caused by faulty design, manufacture or installation that leads to:

False latching or inertia unlatching: the seat belt comes unlatched during a crash
Retractor malfunction: the seat belt does not lock in place during a collision, failing to secure an occupant during a crash
Tears in belt webbing fabric: the seat belt components rip and tear from the impact of a crash
Broken torsion bar: these components may be designed to fail on purpose when too much strain is put on the seat belt system

Door mounted seat belts may also be evidence of a defect.

Discovering Seat Belt Failure And Holding Companies Accountable

After a car accident, it may not always be obvious that a seat belt malfunction led to serious injuries or death. In fact, insurance companies may even try to deny valid claims for coverage of injuries when a defective seat belt makes it appear that an injured person was not wearing his or her seat belt at the time of a crash.

At Butler Prather LLP, our experienced auto defect attorneys know what to look for when investigating a crash and we are not afraid to go after auto manufacturers who sell unsafe products. If you or a loved one has been injured, suffered more severe injuries or even death because a seat belt did not properly protect you during a crash, contact our national firm for a free consultation.