Seat belts save an estimated 15,000 lives in Philadelphia and across the U.S. every year, yet an average 6,000 deaths a year are caused by malfunctioning, improperly used or unused seat belts. According federal statistics, 60% of Americans killed in traffic accidents were not wearing seat belts, resulting in more than $50 billion in medical care costs, lost productivity and other costs related to personal injuries suffered in car accidents in Philadelphia and across the country.
The $3.7 million national Click It or Ticket traffic safety campaign has increased consumer awareness of seat belt safety. About 71% of drivers and passengers consistently wear seat belts. Those who fail to buckle up cite seat belt discomfort or movement impairment. America's obesity epidemic also plays a role. The seat belts in some vehicles simply won't go around larger drivers and passengers.
Even when seat belts are properly sized, defective seat belt design, inferior seal belt materials or poor manufacturing processes can play a significant role in causing personal injuries incurred during a car accident. During a car accident, seat belts are supposed to protect vehicle occupants from collision with components in the car's interior including the steering wheel, windshield and roof. However, faulty installation, manufacturing or design can cause defective seat belts to detach from their moorings. Poor quality materials used in the manufacturing process can fail under crash forces and fail to restrain vehicle occupants. Defective seat belt mechanisms can seize up and fail to work properly. But seat belt latch defects are probably the most common seat belt problem associated with car accidents.
When seat belts fail in Philadelphia car accidents, the problem is usually traced to defective seat belt or latch design, use of inferior raw materials, defective manufacturing practices or a combination of these issues. If you are involved in a car accident that results in serious personal injury or fatality, possible seat belt failure is only one of many issues that will be investigated by your Philadelphia personal injury attorney.
