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Automotive Defects
Since seatbelts were introduced as a standard safety feature for new automobiles over the last three decades, there has been a huge decrease in the number and intensity of serious injuries caused by vehicle accidents. However, although the technology used in seatbelts continues to save lives, they are worthless if they are poorly constructed or altogether defective.
Defective seatbelts can be caused by a number of issues, including problems with latching and the webbing material used in their construction. Any of these failures is dangerous on its own, but in combination they can prove to be fatal. The true tragedy of defective seatbelts is that these defects are not discovered until a catastrophe has occurred.
Inertial unlatching is a mechanical problem caused when a seatbelt opens during a crash or other type of collision. The release button on the belt is triggered, thus releasing the passenger from the restraint. Another issue is weakened webbing, which occurs when the webbing is torn or damaged and fails to restrain the passenger or driver when there is an accident.
Retractor failure is a term used to describe the failure of the device to lock when slack is needed, causing the victim to move forward with the force of the accident. False latching happens when the two parts of the seatbelt lock fail to connect, raising the potential for serious injury.
If you have been injured by a defective seatbelt, don’t suffer in silence any longer. You could be entitled to financial compensation for injuries sustained during an accident caused by a manufacturing defect. Don’t wait for the statutes of limitations to expire before you get the answers that you deserve. Call an experienced, compassionate vehicle accident attorney today.
Airbags are life-saving safety features in cars that provide protection during a collision or other type of vehicle accident. These features are standard in many modern makes and models of cars are include frontal, passenger, and side impact airbags and each of these has a very specific role in the protection of drivers and passengers during a crash. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration mandated that every car built since 1998 is required to have frontal airbags.
Unfortunately, certain airbags have been known to have a variety of defects and some of these flaws can prove deadly. Some of these problems include the airbag failing to deploy during an accident or the device deploying too late, injuring the driver or the passenger with the unexpected force. The design of airbags is also a controversial issue, as many of them are designed for adult males and aren’t considerate of smaller-framed women or young adults, and can prove especially deadly for young children.
When an airbag fails to activate when needed, the passenger is unprotected from the impact caused by the accident and the injury sustained can be profound. If an airbag fails to deploy as needed during a low speed collision, the victim can suffer from major face and eye damage and airbags have been known to cause detached retinas, ruptured eyeballs, broken teeth and cornea scars – all too frequently.
If you have been harmed by a defective airbag, a compassionate, knowledgeable attorney can help you fight to protect your rights. Act quickly, before varying statutes of limitations expire leaving you without the justice that you are entitled to. You may be able to secure financial compensation for those escalating medical bills, time lost from work, and physical and emotional suffering. Don’t wait – talk to someone today.
Defective Door Latch | Defective Gas Tanks | Defective Brakes
Defective door latches, brakes, and gas tanks are serious design or mechanical issues that have the potential to be deadly. Cars themselves are dangerous machines and malfunctions of any sort compromise safety. Not only are these defects costly is expenses needed for repairs, but in the wrong situation and at the wrong time, they could cost lives as well.
Several manufacturers of cars are known to have defective door latches, including Ford Motor Company. In fact, the Ford Focus model from the years 2000-2002 were recently recalled because of corrosion in the door latch that caused it to malfunction. Additionally, other Ford models including the F150 (1997-2000), F-250 (1997-2002), and Ford Expedition (1997-2000) could suffer from the same defective door latch.
Defective brakes can be an even deadlier failing since the brakes themselves are such a critical part of a vehicle’s safety. There are a number of ways that brakes can fail and each of these failures can be disastrous. These can manifest in parking brakes, antilock brakes, rotors, brake pads, or brake lines without notice until it is too late.
One of the most dangerous and often deadly problems is a defect in the gas tank. General Motors was involved in nearly 300 lawsuits and paid over $495 million to burn and explosion victims of defective gas tanks. Evidence emerged showing that GM knew of the defect, but failed to correct it. Also, models of Ford Pintos and Crown Victorias were the target of governmental investigations and lawsuits after deadly rear gas tank explosions claimed innocent lives.
If you were the victim of an accident caused by a defective door latch, defective brake, or a defective gas tank, or if you know someone who was, immediate legal guidance is essential. You could be entitled to monetary compensation for your intense physical and emotional suffering, but statutes of limitations could keep you from justice if they expire before your voice is heard. Don’t wait – call an experienced attorney today.
Defective tires can be a recipe for disaster on the road and have lead to countless devastating accidents when they malfunction at the wrong time. In fact, these defections are one of the most common causes of vehicle accidents in the country today. Although tires can are one of the most essential parts of a vehicle’s safety system, too many people take them for granted.
Usually tire defections are caused by a flaw either in the design process or the manufacturing development. These dangerous defects have been in the national spotlight over the past few years as the company Firestone was forced to recall ATX and Wilderness tires on Ford Explorers, Continental General Tires were recalled on Lincoln Navigators, Firestone Steeltex tires were proven defective on Excursions. Goodyear Load Range E tires had major problems as well, illustrating how even minor defections in important parts of vehicles can have profound and sometimes deadly consequences.
Tread belt separation in steel-belted radials is one of the most common types of tire defects in cars today. When these tires fail to live up to industry standards or manufacturing specifications, they can unexpectedly cause serious rollover accidents and blowouts on the road. Unfortunately, negligent tire manufacturers deny responsibility for such accidents, claiming that it the blame lies with the consumer rather than with themselves.
If you or a loved one has been forced to endure the physical and emotional anguish that comes from an accident caused by defective tires, don’t suffer in silence any longer. If a defective tire is responsible for the accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your struggle. Don’t wait for state statutes of limitations to expire before you get what you deserve. Call an experienced defective auto product attorney today.
