Home Auto Defects Seat Belt Failures

Atlanta Seat Belt Failure Lawyers Representing Clients Nationally

Atlanta Auto Defect Attorneys 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 Atlanta auto defect lawyer 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 an Atlanta, GA 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 Atlanta and Columbus auto product liability 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.

I was in a complex premises liability case involving a multinational corporations. Mr. Butler & his associates were always three steps ahead of these defendants. When they say they are "exceptional trial lawyers," this is not just a slogan but it is a way of life.”
- Zack Hendon