Philadelphia Fatal Accident From Seatbelt Failure Lawyer

In Pennsylvania, it is the law that drivers and front-seat passengers be buckled in securely while driving in a passenger vehicle, a Class 1 and 2 truck, or motorhome. Children 8 years and older but under the age of 18 must be wearing a seatbelt anywhere in the vehicle.

The ideal combination of lap/shoulder belts helps minimize the risk of fatal injuries to the driver and front-seat passengers by approximately 45 percent and reduces the risk of possible minor to critical injuries by 50 percent, provided the belt is worn correctly and is not defective. As for light truck drivers and passengers, wearing seatbelts helps to reduce the possibility of fatal injuries by 60 percent and lowers the risk of minor to critical injuries by 65 percent. 

To stay as safe as possible while driving, every passenger in a vehicle should wear a seatbelt, no matter how far they are traveling. Statistics from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) show that three out of four accidents happen within 25 miles of home. 

Those same numbers also indicate that kids are more than likely to be wearing seatbelts 92 percent of the time when the adults in the vehicle are also buckled in. Conversely, when the adults in a vehicle are not wearing a seatbelt, only 72 percent of the children will wear a seatbelt. Adults should always lead by example and buckle up. 

The Importance of Seatbelts

Every time you get into a vehicle, you need to wear a seatbelt. Wearing seatbelts correctly is important. The right way to wear a seatbelt is to wear the lap belt under the abdomen and lower across the hips. The shoulder belt should reach over the collarbone, away from the neck and across the breastbone.

The seatbelts we use today did not appear until the late 1980s. Using only the lap belts can be dangerous, as the design can cause internal bleeding or organ injuries. Additionally, lap belts focus the impact force to a person’s midsection, often resulting in severe spinal cord and internal injuries, such as lacerated liver, spinal fractures, lacerated spleen, and lacerated bowel. These types of seatbelts can cause serious and even fatal injuries. 

In 2019, according to the report prepared by PennDOT, 81.1 percent of all those involved in a collision in the state were wearing safety restraints, and 47.6 percent who died in an accident were not wearing belts. Statistics prove that wearing a seatbelt saves lives when used correctly. However, if the belt is defective, the accident may involve fatalities.

Defective Seatbelts

Seatbelt failures are typically due to poor design or flawed manufacturing. When designed and installed correctly, they are supposed to hold passengers in their seats to reduce injuries caused by being thrown around in the vehicle. However, when something is defective about the seatbelt, injuries and fatalities are likely to occur. 

In accidents where a front seat passenger was ejected through the windshield, there is a good chance the ejection was caused by a seatbelt design defect or the failure of a component. Seatbelt defects can be due to the following:

• Failure of the sensor
• Failure of the retractor
• Issues with the latch
• Defective webbing or belting material
• Poor belt geometry
• Poor design
• Passive restraints are not adequate
• Tension failure

Contact MyPhillyLawyer for Help

If you think a defective seatbelt caused your loved one’s death, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the company that manufactured the seatbelts or the automaker. You have an ally in the lawyers of MyPhillyLawyer. We offer sound legal advice and guidance from experienced legal advocates, from general injury to wrongful death claims. We are committed to making a significant difference in the outcome of your case.