Defective Seat Belt Attorneys in Chicago, IL

When you get in a car crash, you expect your seat belt to engage correctly and protect you from sustaining severe injuries. While seat belts usually do their job, a defect could cause your seat belt to fail, resulting in additional harm.

If your injuries resulted from a defective seat belt, or if a defective seat belt made your injuries worse, contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. for a free consultation. One of our defective seat belt attorneys in Chicago will explain your rights and answer your questions about holding the at-fault parties liable for your injuries.

Common Seat Belt Defects and Resulting Injuries

Seat belts can be defective in a number of ways that result in serious injuries to vehicle occupants during a motor vehicle accident. Some of the most common of these seat belt defects include:

Latch Defects: A seat belt unlatching defect is a flaw introduced in its design or manufacturing process that causes it not to latch all the way or become unlatched when force is exerted on the belt. This type of defect can cause the seat belt to become unlatched and fail to secure the vehicle occupant during a crash.
Retraction Defects: When a seat belt has a retraction defect, it may not tighten around the occupant’s body to secure them in place when a crash occurs. The malfunctioning seat belt can cause them to move around more during the collision and sustain additional injuries.
Reduced Material Integrity: In some cases, the material the seat belt is made of can be damaged or break down, leading to tears and fraying. This can impact the seat belt’s structural integrity, causing it to fail.
Installation Errors: When seat belts are not correctly installed in vehicles, they may detach from their securement points and fail to protect occupants.

Seat belt failure injuries in Chicago may include:

Abdominal Trauma: When seat belts fail to engage properly, they may cause additional abdominal trauma, including damage to internal organs.
Spinal Cord Injuries: If your seat belt does not adequately restrain you, you may sustain spinal cord injuries from the crash.
Neck Injuries: Accident victims may suffer neck injuries if the seat belt applies too much force during impact or fails to properly restrain them.
Traumatic Brain Injuries: You could strike your head on the steering wheel or another internal component of your vehicle if your seat belt does not work correctly.
Vehicle Ejections: When a seat belt does not work according to its intended design, you could be ejected from the vehicle as a result, causing catastrophic injuries.

If you’ve been injured by a dangerous or defective product such as a failing seat belt, the Chicago product liability lawyers from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can help. Our experienced attorneys can investigate your claim and seek to hold the negligent parties responsible for the serious harm they’ve caused.

Proving Liability in a Seat Belt Defect Case in Illinois

To prove liability in these types of product liability claims, you need evidence of the seat belt defect and its connection to your injuries. A skilled attorney from our Chicago law firm can help you obtain this evidence and use it to build a strong case.

One of the most important pieces of evidence is the seat belt itself. Our product liability attorneys can investigate the seat belt to identify its point of failure. They may enlist the help of a specialist, such as an automotive engineer, to find the defect that caused the failure.

After identifying how the seat belt failed, you must connect the failure to your injuries. Your personal injury lawyer can use your medical records and testimony from medical professionals to show the extent and severity of your injuries and how they would not have occurred or that they would have been less severe had the seat belt worked properly.

Who Can Be Sued for a Defective Seat Belt?

Several parties may be liable for your injuries caused by a defective seat belt, depending on how the failure occurred.

For example, the seat belt manufacturer could be liable if it has a latching defect or if the belt deteriorates to the point of failure. However, the vehicle manufacturer could be held liable if improper seat belt installation caused the failure.

It’s crucial to work with a skilled attorney who can investigate the incident and identify the responsible parties you can file product liability lawsuits against.

Recoverable Damages in a Seat Belt Defect Lawsuit

Dangerous products can cause devastating injuries. Losses for which you may be able to recover damages through a seat belt defect lawsuit include:

Medical expenses associated with your defective seat belt injuries
Future medical care to treat your injuries
Lost wages and loss of future earning potential caused by your injuries
Property repair or replacement
Physical pain and emotional suffering related to your seat belt failure injuries
Permanent disability caused by the seat belt failure and its impact on your life

If you suffered injuries due to a defective seat belt, our legal team can help seek compensation for the full extent of damages you’ve incurred. Call us today to get started with a free case review.

The Legal Deadline for Filing a Claim in Illinois

Under Illinois law, car crash victims generally have two years to file lawsuits against the parties responsible for their injuries. Failing to file your lawsuits against the at-fault parties within this time limit could impact your ability to recover the compensation you need.

When you hire an experienced car crash attorney to handle your case, they will make sure to protect your rights and meet all deadlines associated with your seat belt defect lawsuit in Illinois.

Essential Steps After a Seat Belt Failure

After sustaining injuries due to a seat belt failure, taking the following steps could improve your chances of obtaining maximum compensation:

Follow up with your medical treatment until you fully recover from your injuries.
Document the seat belt failure by writing down everything you remember and taking photographs of the damaged seat belt.
Consult an experienced car crash lawyer about your case and let them handle it from start to finish.

Contact a Chicago Defective Seat Belt Attorney

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has a diverse team of 20+ top litigators and 35+ supporting staff with the resources and skill to aggressively fight for the rights of our deserving clients. Our firm has recovered over $2.5 billion, including the highest compensatory verdict award to an individual plaintiff in Illinois history. We have also secured more than 375 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more.

Contact our personal injury law firm today for a free initial consultation with a highly experienced car crash lawyer about your case. During your initial consultation, we will explain your options for holding the at-fault parties liable for your injuries and walk you through the process of seeking the compensation you need.