Corpus Christi Car Seat Failure Attorney

Standing Up for Your Legal Right to Fair Compensation

Almost all of the focus on vehicle safety deals with airbags and seat belts, both in the public perception and in the governmental regulation. One part of the vehicle that deserves more attention and awareness as a safety device is the seat itself. If the seat does not stay in its normal position during an accident, it makes the seat belts and airbags ineffective and can lead to serious injury or death.

At Elliott & Ritch, Corpus Christi car seat failure lawyer Joe Ritch has over two decades of experience fighting for consumers who have been wrongfully injured by defective products. If you or a loved one have been harmed as the result of a seatback failure, you must act quickly to preserve the evidence necessary to investigate the claim before the vehicle is lost or destroyed. Having the vehicle safely preserved is an important part of preparing a product liability case. ​As soon as you call us, we will begin building you a strong case that will factor in all the relevant evidence so you can receive the maximum compensation you deserve.

Call (361) 733-3003 or contact our firm online for the exceptional representation you and your loved ones deserve. Free consultations are available to all potential clients. 

How Common Are Seatback Failures?

Compared to other defects, car seat failures are relatively rare. However, these accidents can have serious consequences when they do occur. An extensive CBS News investigation published findings in 2021 that showed that car seatback failures may be to blame for more than 100 catastrophic injuries and deaths over a 30 year period. All 100 accidents recorded involved at least individual who was either severely injured or killed. Sadly, these accidents primarily involved young children who are typically seated in the backseat for safety.

Why Is Seat Safety Important?

For over half a century, the automobile industry has been failed to recognize that seatback strength is also an essential compound in vehicle safety. It has been shown—and vehicle manufactures know—that weak seatbacks collapse rearward when a car is rear-ended at speeds as low at 25 mph. Failure to stay in the seat in an accident can cause severe and permanent injuries.

In a rear end collision where the seat collapses backwards the occupant can:

• Be fully or partially ejected from the vehicle
• Be thrown into the rear compartment of the vehicle and strike various structures or parts of the vehicle and even injure rear seat passengers
• Lose control of the vehicle if they are driving, for now they can no longer reach the steering wheel

The seat and headrest are the only safety restraints in a rear-end collision. If you do not stay in the seat in the rear end collision, the headrest, setback, airbags, and seat belts cannot protect you. Weak seats can collapse when a vehicle is struck from behind, which may cause your head and neck to impact other parts of the vehicle, leading to serious injuries or death. Weak seats also endanger rear seat passengers and children in car seats if they are struck by collapsing front seats.