Seat Belt Injuries from Washington Car Accidents and Liability

Possible Seat Belt Defects and Injuries Associated with Washington Accidents

Seattle Auto Accident Lawyers Fighting for Those Suffering from Seat Belt Injuries

We have all heard the public service announcements that seat belts save lives. In large part, this is true, as the federal government estimates that nearly 15,000 people every year are saved from death as a result of wearing a seat belt. However, seat belts are not always safe, and they can actually cause serious injuries and even death in some cases. When this occurs, those who have been harmed by seat belt injuries need the help of an experienced Seattle auto accident lawyer.

Below you’ll find information regarding the types of injuries that can result by wearing different types of seat belts, examples of common defects that have been found to be present in some seat belt models and finally how you should proceed if you suffer from seat belt injuries as a result of an auto accident in Washington.

Different Seat Belt Types and Resulting Seat Belt Injuries

There are several different types of seat belts that can be found in vehicles, and all of them have inherent weaknesses that leave passengers exposed to serious injuries. Below is a look at some of the different types of seat belts and the injuries that have been associated with them.

Passive Restraint Systems

Passive restraint systems are those seat belts in which the lap belt is attached manually and the shoulder belt automatically slides into place when the vehicle’s door is closed. There are several problems that can arise with this design, including the tendency for the occupant to forget to fasten the lap belt, which can lead to serious shoulder and neck injuries if the vehicle is involved in a crash.

Lap Belt Systems

Lap belt systems are generally found in the back seats of vehicles, and these are the type in which the passenger manually fastens across the top of the legs. When a vehicle is involved in a crash in which the passengers are wearing lap belt systems, the injuries that result can be severe and include internal injuries, spinal cord injuries and the like when the body is bent over the belt with a high degree of force.

Shoulder Belt Systems

There are common vehicles on the roads that contain only shoulder belt restraints. When the passengers wearing these belts are involved in a Washington car accident, it can lead to serious shoulder injuries, serious neck injuries if the passenger slides under the belt and even death if the passenger’s neck is caught in the belt system.

Seat Belt Injuries That Result from Common Defects

It may surprise some people to learn that approximately 30 recalls per year have been issued in the past for defective seat belts. Obviously, defective seat belts present serious risks to passengers who likely do not suspect that they are in danger. Below are a few examples of common seat belt injuries caused by defective belt restraint systems.

Defective Latches

Seat belts are actually very simple in terms of their design. The latch is usually two pieces of metal with a catching mechanism that locks into place when the two pieces are slapped together. These mechanisms are generally made with inexpensive materials that can malfunction when the passenger needs a seat belt the most.

Specifically, the seat belt latches can detach when a high amount of pressure is applied to it or when this pressure is applied from certain angles. What’s worse is that there are many cases where the seat belt can come undone without the passenger realizing it, creating only more extreme danger.

Defective Tension Detectors

Anyone who’s worn a seat belt understands that there is usually a mechanism in place that automatically removes the slack that may be in place when the passenger fastens the seat belt. This mechanism can fail in several ways, including not taking up the slack in the first place or failing to hold the belt in place after the slack has been removed when a crash occurs. Obviously, when this occurs, it’s as if the passenger is not wearing a seat belt at all.

Why You Need an Experienced Seattle Auto Accident Lawyer

When seat belts malfunction, the person who suffers from seat belt injuries will generally need to pursue his or her legal rights against the manufacturer of the seat belt, the manufacturer of the vehicle or both depending on how the vehicle has been built. This presents a challenge for anyone without a legal background because he or she will be facing off against a large corporation.

Large corporations tend to have a high number of attorneys working for them, and the theory of products liability is complicated by nature. These factors mean that if you or someone you love has been harmed because of a seat belt injury, you need to seek the help of the Seattle auto accident lawyers who understand what it takes to hold these corporations accountable. Contact the Seattle law firm of Phillips Webster today to schedule a free initial consultation.