Defective Car Seat Accidents
If a passenger in a car reclines the seat and wears a seat belt, will the passenger be safe in a crash? No. Most people are not aware of the dangers in sitting in a reclined car seat while the car is moving – and the car manufacturers do not provide adequate warning.
When a passenger is in a reclined seat, the seat belt becomes ineffective and even dangerous. At the time of collision, a person reclined in his or her seat can slide beneath the lap belt or shoulder strap (called submarining), that will likely lead to severe abdominal and spinal cord injuries. In cases our attorneys have handled, the injuries have been devastating.
What could the manufacturer have done? (1) Change the design, eliminating the manufacturing defect; (2) guard against the ability to recline a seat while the car is moving; or (3) install a warning light or bell (cost approximately $1) to warn the passenger.
A manufacturer's decision not to do any of these simple things paralyzed our client, Tami Martin. A Jacksonville, Florida jury found Ford liable and awarded Tami $16.94 million.
We serve clients throughout the United States from offices near Kansas City in historic Lexington, Missouri. Our law firm represents people who have been injured and families of those who have died as a result of accidents or defective products. We have appeared in trial for plaintiffs in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Put our national reputation to work for you.
If you or a loved one has an injury caused by a reclined car seat, another car seat defect, or a child car seat, contact the lawyers at Langdon & Emison. We offer free initial consultations.
For more information about seatbelt and reclined auto seats, please review the following:
Articles
Reclining Seats Trade Safety for Comfort
