Defective Seatbelt Attorneys Manhattan, New York

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Thousands of preventable deaths occur annually due to malfunctioning seatbelts.  This is a sobering fact considering that most of us believe we are sufficiently protecting ourselves by using them. The assumption is largely correct; some 15,000 lives are saved annually by the use of seatbelts. Unfortunately, despite the fact that 71 percent of motorists are currently buckling up, people can still be killed in a debilitating car wreck by a faulty latch or restraint mechanism.

The defective seatbelt attorneys of the Manhattan, New York law firm of Proner & Proner are all too familiar the devastating consequences of defective auto products. They have successfully handled numerous auto accident and product liability lawsuits on behalf of people harmed by defective seatbelts. They also provide compassionate representation to families who lost a loved one to wrongful death due to a faulty seatbelt.

Why Seatbelts Fail 

There are many reasons why seatbelts may not function properly.  Some of the most common problems are:

• False latching – In this instance, a seatbelt can feel and look as if it is latched but the internal securing mechanisms are not engaged.  Because of this, the seatbelt does not work as planned and auto inhabitants are not sufficiently protected.  Serious injuries or death can result.

• Inertial unlatching – This can occur when the seatbelt becomes unlatched during the accident even when internal mechanisms used to secure the belt are in place.  This most often occurs in buckles that don’t have a “lock-for-the-latch” feature. This design often prevents unlatching, but is not universally used.

• Seatbelt slack – When there is too much slack or "give" in the belt it will fail to lock the driver or passenger in place during an auto accident.

• Lap and automatic door mounted belts – While automatic belts have been shown to cause neck and spine injury, (and in some cases, decapitation), lap belts have contributed to paralysis and are not as safe as new, three-point belts.

Alarmingly, despite the importance of reliable seatbelts, auto manufacturers often scrimp on life-saving internal devices when it comes to the seatbelt buckle.  They also use cheap materials for straps, all in the name of frugality.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of an injury due to a defective seatbelt, our experienced attorneys in New York can help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.

Contact Our Defective Seatbelt Attorneys

The sole purpose of seatbelts is to protect the lives of vehicle occupants. Car manufacturers should bear this fact in mind when designing this all-important internal device. Those who fail to uphold their duty to make seatbelts as safe as possible should be held accountable for their actions.

The defective seatbelt attorneys of Proner & Proner in Manhattan, New York can represent your personal injury case and fight to ensure that your rights are protected.

To get your life back in order after a defective seatbelt related accident, contact the attorneys of the Manhattan law offices of Proner & Proner today.