What are Your Rights Following a Seatback Failure in an Accident?

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When you’re shopping for a new car, one of the most important things you’ll take into consideration are the safety features. You want to know that in the event of a car accident, you and your family members will be kept safe. Unfortunately, even the safest cars can still let you down in an accident. You might not even be aware of your car’s safety issues until you experience it first hand in an accident. When you’re driving, especially with passengers in the car, you try to be as careful as possible. Even if you’re a safe driver, others on the road aren’t always and an accident can happen quickly, so it’s important that you can trust your car will protect you. You may also need to be more aware of your legal rights, should you find yourself in an accident. Luckily there are law firms similar to this Alberta law firm that can assist you should you want to learn your rights in case of an accident.

Ultimately, driving safely is fundamental when it comes to reducing your chances of being involved in a car accident. For example, did you know that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving was responsible for over 72,000 car crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths in 2013? It might seem like common sense, but you should always try to avoid driving if you are tired. Correspondingly, be sure to get plenty of sleep the night before any long driving journeys.

Something many people don’t think about is how safe their seats are. You expect that at least your seat will be safe in an accident. However, seatback failures may happen due to poorly made seating. seatback failure occurs when the front seat collapses backward upon collision. This typically happens when a vehicle is rear-ended. Standards for seats in vehicles are extremely low, so it’s easy for manufacturers to meet them while not doing anything to keep passengers protected. Manufacturers are aware of the issues seatbacks can have, but aren’t willing to make a safer design due to the costs.

Seatback failures can cause serious injuries for all passengers in the vehicle. Those who have unfortunately been involved in such an accident and have come away with injuries may want to Check Out Ketterman, Rowland & Westlund for legal assistance in the aftermath of the incident. Passengers in the back seat, often children, can be injured by the seat and its passenger being thrown back. Passengers may even be ejected throw the rear window in their seat gives out. Drivers who experience seatback failure can also lose control of the vehicle, which can potentially make the accident worse. Injuries caused by seatback failure often include spinal cord injury, fractured and broken bones, traumatic brain injury, and death. Serious injuries can occur even in low-speed collisions.

If you or a loved one are the victim of seatback failure, you’re likely experiencing difficulties due to the accident. It can be difficult dealing with the aftermath of seatback failure because the severity of your injuries would not have been as bad with a safe design. You might not be aware of all your rights following your accident that can help aid you during your recovery.

Get legal help

If you suspect that injuries from your accident were caused by seatback failure, you should contact a seatback failure attorney. Handling any legal issues, including those regarding seatback failure, is something that requires some trained and knowledgeable on the subject. It’s important to work with someone who specializes in these cases. After your accident, it’s important that you get in contact with an attorney quickly to meet deadlines and preserve any evidence. As important as it is to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident, it is vital that you make sure that you get any injuries checked out by a medical professional first. Your attorney will be there waiting for you after you have made a full recovery. Did you know that they can even help you get compensation for your spinal injury after an accident so you will be able to cover the costs of your medical bills, as well as helping you with any loss of wages if you are required to take any time off work? That’s why it is so important that you receive the appropriate legal help following an accident as you may have a case.

Dealing with seatback failure on your own can be difficult to handle, so you want to have the best help possible with a qualified attorney. They will know all the legal procedures and how to help you win your case. If you aren’t sure if you have a strong case or not, an attorney can consult with you before taking on your case to determine if you’re the victim of seatback failure. The right attorney can help you receive compensation for being the victim of seatback failure.

Product liability claim

After you consult with your attorney, if they take you on as a client, you may have a product liability claim. Injuries caused by poorly designed and dangerous products, including seatbacks and other car parts, are extremely common. Product liability laws help victims of these products recover and get justice. If the seatback wasn’t able to keep you safe during an accident, it could be the fault of the manufacturer who designed and made it. In a product liability claim, you need to be able to prove that the seatback being used as it was intended was the cause of your injuries. The manufacturer will be held responsible for the defective design of the seatback.

By winning your product liability claim, you could receive compensation for the damages you’ve experienced due to seatback failure. Compensation from your case could cover any medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, or the loss of enjoyment.