One of the measures of vehicle safety is crashworthiness, or how well a vehicle protects occupants in the event of a collision. Vehicles and their components are tested for crashworthiness, but often, they pass these tests with inferior components. Unfortunately, these defective or unsafe components become obvious when vehicles are involved in real collisions, putting occupants at risk of severe injuries or death. At Ligori & Ligori, Injury Lawyers, we can help victims of crashworthiness failures seek compensation from manufacturers for injuries caused by defective safety features.
In automotive safety, numerous components play pivotal roles in safeguarding occupants during collisions or crashes. Among these components, defective airbags, seatbacks, seatbelts, roof strength, headrests and door latches stand out as critical elements that can directly influence the outcome of a vehicular accident. When any of these components fail to function as intended, the risk of sustaining serious injuries escalates significantly. The overarching objective is to mitigate the forces that can crush occupants or lead to ejection from the vehicle, thereby reducing the severity of injuries sustained during an accident. For instance, in the event of a rollover collision, the integrity of the vehicle’s roof structure is paramount to preventing catastrophic roof collapse and preserving the survival space for occupants. Similarly, properly functioning seatbelts are instrumental in restraining occupants and mitigating the extent of their injuries upon impact. However, when seatbelts fail to restrain occupants or roof structures collapse under the forces of a rollover, the consequences can be dire, resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
When vehicle components fail to perform as intended, the manufacturer may bear legal liability for injuries sustained by occupants due to the malfunction. Manufacturers are held to rigorous standards of safety and quality assurance, and any deviations from these standards that result in harm to consumers may warrant legal action. Victims of defective vehicle components have the right to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages incurred as a result of the accident. By holding manufacturers accountable for lapses in safety and design, injured parties not only seek redress for their losses but also contribute to the promotion of enhanced safety standards within the automotive industry. The experienced legal professionals at Ligori & Ligori are well-versed in product liability law and can empower victims to assert their rights and pursue justice against negligent manufacturers, ultimately fostering a culture of accountability and safety across the automotive landscape.
Crash Injuries Caused by Unsafe Components
Vehicle manufacturers have a responsibility to design and build vehicles that perform safely. This includes protecting occupants in a crash. When a crashworthiness failure occurs, it can cause secondary collision injuries. These are injuries that are caused by unsafe components on the vehicle and are preventable when the components are designed and built to work as intended. Some crash injuries that can occur due to unsafe components include:
- Burn injuries from gas tank explosions
- Lacerations from metal components of air bags
- Head, neck and spine trauma from roof collapse
- Impact injuries from ejection from the vehicle (door latch and seatbelt malfunction)
- Spine and neck injuries from seatback failure
- Death from impact, laceration, head trauma or fire
