seatbelt defect

Published on: March 2, 2016

Accidents Caused By Defective Seatbelts

Seatbelts are arguably the single most important automobile safety invention in history. However, when seatbelts are defective, there is a serious risk of injury to car occupants.

Seatbelt use across the United States is at close to all-time highs. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2015, seatbelt use across the United States reached 88.5%. That was an increase from 86.7% recorded in 2014. Although that is not believed to be a statistically significant difference, it is encouraging to note that Americans continue to buckle up even though cars now come with several high-tech safety features. The fact is that in many different types of accidents, it is the seatbelt that significantly reduces the risk of serious injuries or death.

Make sure that you and other people in your car are always buckled-up while driving. Children must not be restrained in seatbelts unless they have reached the proper age and weight.

Published on: October 7, 2011

Seatbelt Failures Can Amplify Car Accident Injury Risks in Georgia

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Seatbelt failures happen more often than most drivers think, and when these do occur, motorists may be at a serious risk of personal injury.Honda has now announced the recall of more than 311,000 vehicles because of potential seatbelt failure problems. Airbag and seatbelt failures are regular complaints received by accident attorneys nationwide.

The recall involves certain Pilot SUVs from model years 2009 to 2011.According to Honda, these vehicles may have a problem in the way that their seat belts have been sewn together.The stitching at the end of the lap belt on both the driver and front seat passenger seatbelt may not be complete, and the seatbelt may be at risk of coming loose from the anchor webbing during an accident.A person who is poorly restrained in a defective seatbelt like this is at a serious risk of traumatic injuries in an auto accident.

Honda has informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it has received two complaints about the defective seatbelts.One of these incidents involving a defective seatbelt occurred in 2010, while the other occurred this year.Honda owners whose vehicles are included in the recall are required to visit their dealers as quickly as possible, for an inspection.If necessary, the seatbelt will be replaced free of charge.Approximately 310,773 vehicles are included in the recall.

Published on: October 4, 2007

Faulty Seatbelts and Air Bags

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

In Georgia there is a doctrine known as Res Ipsa Loquitur, which translated means “the thing speaks for itself.” Some things are so manifestly the result of someone’s negligence that a jury can infer negligence on the part of the defendant. In other words, the evidence proves the point. For example, a scalpel left in the stomach of a surgery patient infers the negligence of the doctor. Also, a barrel of flour falling out a second story window infers the shopkeeper’s negligence.When applied, this doctrine creates an inference of negligence that the defendant must affirmatively disprove.

To apply this doctrine in a negligence case, the plaintiff must usually show:

That harm would not have occurred without someone’s negligence;