Over 60% of all people killed in car accidents are not wearing a seatbelt, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In contrast, close to 10,000 people survive car accidents every year thanks to proper seatbelt usage. When you consider that seatbelts are only used by 81% of all drivers, the amount of lives that could potentially be saved if 100% of people used them is a staggering number.
Personal injury is still possible if you are wearing a seatbelt in a car accident, but the odds of you suffering a severe, life-changing injury are greatly reduced. Unfortunately, defective seatbelts can nullify these benefits, potentially contributing to serious injuries. Defective seatbelts can be caused by issues like:
- Design flaws
- Improper labeling
- Insufficient directions
- Assembly errors
Over the past 10 years, over 1,000 different defective seatbelt recalls have occurred. If you have been seriously injured in a car accident because of a seatbelt defect, you may be able to hold the manufacturer responsible for your losses.
If you or your loved one have been injured in any type of car accident because of someone else’s negligence, please contact Kalfus & Nachman today to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our experienced Norfolk brain injury attorneys.