Chicago, Illinois Auto Accident Attorneys
Representing Clients Injured by Defective Seat belts
Seat belts are one of the most important safety mechanisms in a vehicle. The proper use of seat belts can prevent injuries and save lives. But if a seatbelt is defective or fails to function properly, occupants in the vehicle can become seriously injured or killed in a motor vehicle accident.
At Ankin Law, our Chicago auto accident attorneys focus on protecting the victims of all types of motor vehicle accidents, including those involving defective seat belts and other auto defects. If you have been injured in an auto accident involving a defective seatbelt, contact our office at (800) 442-6546 to schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable Chicago defective seatbelt lawyer.
Common Causes of Defective Seat belts
Defective seat belts can cause injuries for a number of reasons, including:
- Unlatching. Seat belts are designed to withstand a massive amount of force, but sometimes a seatbelt fails to hold up to this amount of force and it can come unlatched. When a seatbelt comes unlatched, the driver or passenger is at risk of injury or even ejection from the vehicle. Inertial unlatching can happen in any type of auto accident, but it often happens in vehicle rollovers.
- No Shoulder Strap. If a vehicle only contains lap belts, and does not include shoulder straps in the rear and middle seats, passengers are at risk for serious internal injuries.
- Defective seat belt retractors. Seatbelt retractors are designed to keep the lap or shoulder strap snug around a person’s body and to hold the body in place when in an accident. When retractors fail, too much slack in the lap or shoulder belt can result and a person will not be protected in an auto accident.
- Torn or Ripped Webbing. If a seatbelt tears, it may not be able to withstand the force of an auto accident as effectively. Seatbelt webbing defects can be caused by manufacturing defects or by contact with sharp objects during an auto accident.
Defective Seatbelt Product Liability Lawsuits
If a defective seatbelt results in injuries or deaths, a product liability lawsuit may be filed against anyone along a vehicle’s supply chain, including the automobile designer, the automobile manufacturer, the marketing companies, and car dealerships. A product liability claim, including a defective seatbelt claim, can be based on negligence, strict liability and breach of warranty, all of which require that the plaintiff prove that the car’s defect caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
At Ankin Law, our Chicago auto defect attorneys are dedicated to protecting the victims of serious auto accidents, including those involving defective seat belts and other auto defect claims. Because we focus on representing the victims of auto accidents and auto product liability claims, we are well-versed in the Illinois auto accident laws and regulations. We are familiar with the processes and procedures of insurance companies so we can work to get you a quick and favorable settlement.
If a favorable settlement is not possible, our team includes skilled Chicago auto defect litigators, who will vigorously fight to protect your rights in a court of law. If you have been injured as a result of a defective seatbelt, contact one of our Chicago auto defect attorneys today to learn more about a possible auto defect product liability claim.