The most common types of seatbelt defects include faulty buckles, weak or torn webbing, defective retractors, anchor failures, and restraint system malfunctions that fail during a crash. When these defects happen, a seatbelt might not restrain the occupant as designed. This increases the risk of serious injury in a car accident.
Seatbelts are meant to protect you in a crash, but design or manufacturing defects can cause them to fail. When that happens, an injured vehicle occupant may still have legal options, even if they were wearing the seatbelt correctly or share some responsibility for the collision.
What types of seatbelt defects are the most likely to cause serious injuries?
Several types of seatbelt defects are known to cause serious injuries when they fail during a collision. These defects may prevent the belt from locking, releasing too easily, or restraining the body as intended. Identifying the exact defect often requires examining the entire restraint system, not just the seatbelt itself.
- Faulty Buckle: Inertial unlatching occurs when the stress of the accident causes the buckle to release. False latching occurs when the buckle isn’t actually fastened but appears to be. Either of these buckle defects can cause the belt to disengage on collision. In some cases, a faulty buckle can cause someone to be ejected from the vehicle.
- Weak Webbing: Inferior materials used to craft the seatbelt webbing (the fabric part of the belt) cause the shoulder belt, lap belt, or both to snap in a wreck. Faulty webbing may also stretch, fail to hold the wearer in place, and cause more serious injuries than if the belt were woven with more secure materials.
- Defective Retractor: The retractor is the part of the belt that locks the belt in place and holds it there. It engages when the driver abruptly slows, stops, or turns. A retractor failure can cause the belt to fail to lock in place, as if the occupant weren’t wearing a seatbelt at all.
- Anchor Failure: Seatbelts are held in place by anchors at the hip and shoulder level. A faulty party, incorrect assembly, or other manufacturing problem may cause the belt to fail to secure the wearer and eject them from the vehicle.
- Software Defect: Some newer vehicles use software to control pretensioners and crash-sensing components that affect how seatbelts tighten during impact. A software error can interfere with proper activation, reducing occupant protection.
What kinds of injuries does a defective seatbelt cause?
A defective seatbelt can cause severe and sometimes even fatal injuries by failing to restrain the body during a crash. When a belt does not function properly, the injuries are often similar to those suffered by someone who was not wearing a seatbelt at all.
Common seatbelt injuries include spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, broken bones, punctured lungs caused by fractured ribs, and deep bruising or lacerations across the chest and abdomen. If the defect causes the occupant to be ejected from the vehicle, the risk of catastrophic injury or death increases significantly.
What legal options may exist after a defective seatbelt injury?
Without a properly functioning seatbelt, the injuries you suffer in a crash can be life-changing. If you were responsible for the wreck, you may think you’re out of options to have your medical bills covered, but this may not be the case. And, if you weren’t responsible for the crash, then you may have grounds to file a second claim against the auto or seat belt manufacturer.
Langdon & Emison can review your situation and explain what options may be available. To schedule a free consultation, call Langdon & Emison at (866) 931-2115.