Victims of Seat Belt Failures
While they are designed to provide protection in the event of a rear-end collision or other car accident, seat belts unfortunately fail at an alarming rate. In a head-on collision, a defect in the spooling mechanism can prevent the seat belt from catching quickly enough to prevent a driver or passenger from being thrown into the windshield, A-pillar or steering column. Other problems include:
- Slack in shoulder harnesses or belt
- Belt buckle failures
- Unlatching upon impact, causing further injury due to recoil
The resulting injuries of seat belt failures can be life threatening or fatal, particularly in a rollover or roof crush accident. Without a proper safety harness, occupants may be partially or fully ejected from the vehicle, which greatly increases the risk of catastrophic or fatal injury.
General Motors Seat Belt Recall
General Motors is recalling nearly 840,000 U.S. vehicles because the front seat belts can fail.
The seat belt recall covers 624,000 2019 through 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 pickups. Also included are the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL, and the 2020 and 2021 Silverado and Sierra 2500 and 3500. All have bench seats.
GM says the seat belt brackets may not have been secured to the frame, so the belts may not hold people in a crash. Dealers will inspect the brackets and reassemble them.
If your seat belt failed in a car accident, no matter our minor, you could have rights to pursue a claim against the manufacturer. The skilled personal injury lawyers of Miller Weisbrod Olesky, LLP, are ready to help you. To discuss your case in a free consultation, contact us today.
Dallas Attorneys for Victims of Air Bag Failures
Failure to deploy is only one result of a defect in a vehicle's air bag system. Late deployment can exacerbate injuries in a crash. Overly powerful deployment can pose serious risk of face, head and neck injuries, especially in smaller passengers, women and the elderly. In addition, the gases that power air bag deployment may cause serious chemical burns to the face, neck and chest.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) attributed more than 200 deaths to faulty airbag deployment in low-speed or low-severity auto crashes from 1990 to 2001. Other serious injuries included tooth loss, eye injury, broken noses, whiplash, blindness, quadriplegia and partial decapitation. NHTSA also reports that over half those killed or injured by over-aggressive airbag deployment are children.
Contact Miller Weisbrod Olesky
If you suffered a serious injury in an automobile accident or a loved one died due to seat belt failure or defective air bags, we invite you to contact our Dallas offices at 214.987.0005 to discuss your rights and legal options with an experienced trial lawyer.
We offer free initial consultations to potential clients nationwide. If you are calling from outside the DFW Metroplex, please use our toll-free line at 888.987.0005 or contact us by e-mail to schedule an appointment.