Manufacturers are Responsible for Seatbelt and Tire Defects

March 22, 2012

Manufacturers are Responsible for Seatbelt and Tire Defects

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, there were more than 250 million vehicles registered in the United States in 2009. With so many vehicles of all different shapes and sizes on the nation's roadways, it is vitally important to make sure that those vehicles' essential parts, like seatbelts and tires, are safe.

However, there have been several incidents of faulty seatbelts and tires in recent years which have caused or contributed to fatal accidents. This staggering reality inspires a better understanding of the different ways product defects can affect road users and who may be held responsible for seatbelt or tire failure.

Common Seatbelt Defects

There are several different ways a seatbelt can fail and cause injury or death during an accident.

Ill-fitting shoulder belts, caused by a flaw in design or installation, can cause injury to an occupant in an accident, as can torn seatbelt material. Seatbelts can also detach from their mount on the seat or fail to fully latch, which can cause an occupant to become unrestrained in an accident.

Recently, Takata seatbelts were involved in a massive recall when it was determined that the product can fail to lock properly when buckled and jam or fail to unlock after an accident. This issue affected vehicles made by a dozen manufacturers, including GM, Ford, Honda and Subaru.

Common Tire Defects

Defects in car tires can also pose a threat to vehicle occupants. Tire defects may lead to performance failures like blowouts and tread separation, both of which can cause drivers to lose control. Tire failures account for approximately 500 deaths and 10,000 injuries annually.

Seatbelt and Tire Defect Liability

Fortunately, legal recourse is available for victims of seatbelt and tire defects. Manufacturers can be held liable for personal injury caused by defects in their products, and victims can sue for compensation for medical costs, vehicle replacement costs and pain and suffering in the event of an accident caused by a seatbelt or tire blowout.

Since seatbelts and tires are part of the daily lives of most residents of the United States, it is important to understand potential defects these parts may have and who may be held liable in the event of a failure. If you or a loved one has been in an accident caused or exacerbated by defective seatbelts or tires, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney to explore your legal options.

Article provided by Marcus & Mack
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