Causes of Restraint System Failure in Iowa Accidents

You may have gotten in your car just like any other day, fastened your seatbelt and taken off down the street, not giving much thought to your seatbelt design. However, what if you were involved in an Iowa car accident and your seatbelt came unlatched? Although you know you fastened your safety belt, it appears as though you weren't wearing it.

Surprisingly, there are defects in seatbelt designs. Did you know that there are several hundred different vehicle models in this nation, which all require different seatbelt designs? Most seatbelts are safe, but there have been defective seatbelts designed and manufactured through the years.

What causes a seatbelt to malfunction?

• Failure of the seatbelt's retractor: When the retractor fails to lock, the vehicle occupants can hit their heads on the steering wheel, windshield or dashboard. 
• Torn seatbelts or ripped webbing: When a seat belt tears or rips apart, it typically signifies that the seatbelt material used was substandard or something inside the vehicle may have cut the seatbelt. 
• Unlatching and false latching: When a seatbelt fails to lock in place and the plate pulls out of the buckle, false latching may have occurred. 
• Automatic seatbelts: When a vehicle has an automatic seatbelt system, there may be a faulty part that could cause the seatbelt to malfunction.
• Internal unlatching: When there is impact to the buckle, it may cause it to unlatch. 
• Lap belts: When a lap belt is used alone, it can injure someone's abdomen and crush organs or the spinal cord.

When a vehicle manufacturer fails to properly design and manufacture a seatbelt, you and your passengers suffer. Defective seatbelts have been known to cause serious injuries such as spinal cord injury, head injury, brain injury, serious neck and back injuries, paralysis and even death.

Although statistics show that wearing a seatbelt reduces risks of injuries in the case of an Iowa auto accident, a defective seatbelt can increase your risk of injury. If you were injured as a result of a defective restraint system, it is important that you talk with an experienced Iowa accident attorney. Proving that your seatbelt malfunctioned will take qualified people on your side and a thorough investigation by professionals. Call the Law Offices of Brady & O'Shea today to talk with a skilled Cedar Rapids personal injury lawyer at (319) 866-9277.