Cleveland Defective Seat Belts
Wearing a seat belt is critical to reducing your chances of suffering a serious injury in a car accident. However, when your seat belt contains a defect or fails to perform as the manufacturer intended, it could put your life in danger. If you or someone you love has been the victim of a defective seat belt, contact the Cleveland personal injury attorneys at Elk & Elk. You may be eligible for compensation from the manufacturer.
Why Choose Us?
- We will not hesitate to use our firm’s resources to hire experts and other personnel to maximize your odds of product liability claim success.
- We know you are likely undergoing medical treatments and wish to focus on healing. We make house calls and hospital visits as needed.
- We do not want you to worry about how you will afford a lawyer. We offer our services on contingency, so you will not pay anything until we win.
When to Call a Product Liability Lawyer
During an investigation of your accident, someone may discover that your seat belt failed to perform as it should have and that this contributed to your injuries. If you suspect this to be the case, contact a product liability lawyer right away. A lawyer can immediately begin working on your case, gathering evidence such as photographs of the defective seat belt and information about the manufacturer. If a case already exists against the seat belt maker, your lawyer can help you join the class action. Otherwise, your attorney can start your own injury claim and go up against a major seat belt manufacturer on your behalf.
Common Seat Belt Defects and Failures
Any seat belt malfunction that reasonably should not have occurred in the course of a car accident may be a defect. An investigation of the vehicle after your accident could uncover one or more defects that caused the seat belt to open or otherwise fail in your accident.
- Weak or faulty belt materials
- False latching
- Lack of instructions or warning labels
- Flaws in design
- Inertial latching
- Defective retractors
- Defective components such as anchors
- Passive restraint systems
- Door-mounted seat belts (can eject a passenger if the door opens in an accident)
A defect could arise from dangerous product design, accidental manufacturing error, or improper marketing materials that led to poor installation or use. If your attorney can show that your seat belt contained one of these three main types of defects and that it contributed to your injuries, you could have a strict liability claim against the manufacturer.
What Is Strict Liability?
Strict liability refers to a party’s legal responsibility even if the party did not engage in any actual negligence or intent to harm. According to federal law, product manufacturers are strictly liable for injuries their defective or dangerous products cause. If an item such as a seat belt contains a defect that interferes with the product’s ability to perform as intended, the manufacturer will be strictly liable for wearer damages. During these claims, plaintiffs do not have to prove the manufacturer’s fault.
Contact Us If a Bad Seat Belt Caused Your Injuries
If you think you have grounds for a lawsuit against a seat belt manufacturer in Ohio, contact Elk & Elk. The manufacturer may try to trick you with delay-and-deny claim tactics, but our lawyers will put up a fight. Your Cleveland personal injury attorney will fight for fair compensation for your serious or catastrophic injuries. If strict liability laws do not apply to your case, you may still be eligible for damages based on the theory of negligence. A lawyer can help you prove a defendant’s negligence in these situations. Call (216) 313-9774 today to discuss your case during a free consultation in Cleveland.