Each year there are many recalls and safety warnings issued as the result of defective or dangerous auto parts, including seatback failures. Cars that have bucket seats pose a serious threat of seatback failure injuries to passengers located in the back seat if the car is involved in a serious accident where it is hit from the rear.
In a rear-end accident, the bucket seat may bend or collapse and may cause the backseat passenger to suffer serious or fatal injuries. The risk for injury is particularly high for children and shorter adults, which is why it is advised that smaller passengers in the rear seat sit behind an empty front seat.
Certain auto manufacturers have known for decades that some vehicle models that they produce are equipped with defective and hazardous bucket seats, yet they have done nothing to correct the situation or warn the public of this danger. If a vehicle occupant suffers from injuries as the result of a dangerous bucket seat, the automaker is liable and must be held accountable. At GJEL, our Northern California lawyers have the experience and skill to represent clients against even the largest companies and corporations.
We invite you to call 1-855-508-9565 to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney at GJEL if you or a loved one has been injured. We provide free consultations, and we’re paid only when we win your claim. You’ll pay no fees if we don’t obtain a verdict or settlement for you.
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What you need to know about seatback failure lawsuits
Your vehicle’s seats play a crucial role in protecting you during accidents. However, seatback failures have caused serious injuries to victims and could have been avoided with better design and manufacturing standards by automakers.
During a collision, the driver or front-seat passenger is restrained by a seat belt or airbag, but the seat back should remain upright. If it fails, the person in the front seat will fall backward, risking loss of control and ejection from the vehicle. Rear-end collisions are especially dangerous as they increase the risk of injury to passengers in the back seat and could impede emergency rescue efforts.
How do seatbacks fail?
Seat backs generally fail due to poor design and manufacturing standards or improper assembly or installation. Children are at a higher risk of injury if the front seat collapses during a collision. CBS News reported that over 100 people, including children, have been injured or killed due to defective seatbacks.
When do seatback failures trigger a recall?
Automakers should initiate recalls if seat backs are defective, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Failure to design and manufacture safe products and warn the public about defects could result in product liability in court. Audi, Ford, Honda, Mercury, Nissan, Tesla, and Toyota have had recalls for faulty seat backs. If you or your family have been injured in accidents due to seat-back failures, you may be entitled to compensation. It’s important to conduct a thorough investigation and gather evidence to prove auto defects or product liability in court.
Facts about seatback failures in the United States
- Between 2014 and 2018, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received 1,895 reports of seatback failure in the United States.
- According to the NHTSA, seatback failures caused almost a third (32%) of all occupant fatalities in the US during the same time frame.
- In the US, seatback failures were the primary cause of occupant fatalities in vehicles made between 2000 and 2004.
- Seatback failures contributed to 27% of all occupant fatalities in vehicles produced from 2000 to 2004, according to the NHTSA.
- In the US, seatback failures were the second most common cause of occupant fatalities in cars produced from 2005 to 2009.
- The NHTSA reported that seatback failures accounted for 24% of all occupant fatalities in vehicles made between 2005 and 2009.
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