Skilled Defective Seatbelt Attorneys in New Mexico and Texas
At the Ruhmann Law Firm, our Texas and New Mexico personal injury lawyers know that in 1968, federal law required all new vehicles — except buses — to include seatbelts in all designated seating positions to help increase driver and passenger safety.
Since 1975, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that seatbelts have saved nearly 375,000 lives.
These safety features are incredibly important to public safety, which is why defective seatbelts are causing more than alarm for consumers across the U.S. but are leading to significant and even fatalities.
If you or someone you love has been injured or lost their life in a vehicle collision because of defective seatbelts, we want to help you hold the liable party or combination of parties accountable for your full financial recovery.
What are the Most Common Issues Associated with Defective Seatbelts?
There is no denying that seatbelts save lives. That is what they are designed to do.
When the design, manufacturing, or another defect exists anywhere within the seatbelt’s makeup, people are going to get hurt or killed.
Some of the most reported issues related to defective seatbelts include, but are not limited to:
- False Latching
False latching occurs when the seatbelt makes a clicking sound – signaling it is safely latched – but it becomes unlatched upon the impact of a crash.
- Non-Locking or Slacking or Shoulder Belts
The shoulder point of the seatbelt should be tight to the wearer, which is typically apparent when you step on the brake and try to reach forward at the same time. The seatbelt will restrict your movement, just as it is designed. When that feature is defective, the body is free to move forward or even be ejected from the vehicle.
- Webbing Flaws
The material the seatbelt is made from is just as important as the seatbelt itself.
When there is a webbing flaw, the seatbelt’s integrity may be compromised, causing it to tear under the force of a collision, negating its safety.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident because of a defective seatbelt, contact our skilled personal injury lawyers in Texas and New Mexico today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
What are the Most Common Injuries Associated with Defective Seatbelts in Texas & New Mexico?
Our defective seatbelt attorneys in Texas and New Mexico know there is no limit to the types of injuries that can occur when the safety devices in vehicles are not working properly.
Seatbelts are one of the most important safety features in any vehicle, so when they are not working, the driver or occupants who were using the defective device can hit the wheel, dashboard, windows, windshield, or even be ejected from the vehicle.
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and spine injuries
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
This is not an exhaustive list of injuries that can occur when a seatbelt is deemed defective.
If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a vehicle collision because of a defective seatbelt, contact our skilled defective vehicle injury lawyers in Texas and New Mexico today to discuss your case during a free consultation.
Who Can File a Defective Seatbelt Lawsuit in Texas or New Mexico?
If you were injured or a loved one was killed because of a defective seatbelt, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim against the liable party.
That may include the vehicle’s designer, manufacturer, part supplier, or maintenance company.
To begin a claim, contact our skilled defective seatbelt lawyers in Texas and New Mexico to schedule a free consultation. We will discuss your accident, injuries, and the evidence necessary to pursue the liable party for your full financial recovery, so you can put this traumatic event behind you.
What Type of Financial Compensation Can I Pursue in a Defective Seatbelt Claim?
Depending on our injuries and the overall damages you incurred, your financial recovery options may differ from another personal injury victim.
That may include compensation for your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- The negative impact on the quality of life
- Punitive damages to punish the manufacturer
- Wrongful death compensation
If you have been injured because of a defective seatbelt, do not let the size and strength of the manufacturer intimidate you. Our skilled defective seatbelt attorneys in New Mexico and Texas have the experience, skill, and resources our clients need to pursue actual results from these corporate giants.
We will aggressively pursue the liable party – or combination of parties – for your complete damages, so you can focus on getting the medical care you need to get your life back.
You do not have to fear the companies, their insurance companies, or legal teams. We will manage each detail of your case and route all communication through our offices, so you only have to answer questions with our skilled personal injury lawyers by your side.
Contact Our Defective Seatbelt Lawyers at the Ruhmann Law Firm Today
If you have been injured in an accident or lost a loved one in a crash because of the vehicle’s defective seatbelts, contact our experienced personal injury lawyers in Texas at (915) 845-4529, New Mexico at (505) 388-9500, or online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today.
While our personal injury law firm’s hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, our staff will make special arrangements to meet with you after hours or on weekends at a location convenient for you and your family, if you cannot come to either of our office locations.
If you hire us to represent you in your defective seatbelt case, we will not bill you for any attorney’s fees unless you recover financial damages in a negotiated settlement or jury award. That is our promise to our clients, so they can focus on getting more from their cases.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you move forward with confidence.