You trust the seatbelts in your car to work properly and protect you and your passengers in the event of a crash. If your seat belt did not function correctly during the accident, a motor vehicle accident attorney can help you pursue financial compensation.
A ft lauderdale car accident lawyer can handle all the moving parts of your claim. They can gather evidence of the defect that caused you harm and deal with the seatbelt manufacturer’s insurance company. With a free claim review, You can learn how a lawyer can help when your seat belt fails to work in a car accident and start fighting for your financial recovery.
A Lawyer Can Identify How Your Seat Belt Failed to Perform in a Car Accident
A seat belt can fail to perform, underperform, and otherwise malfunction. If a defective seat belt caused you or a loved one to become injured, you have seatbelt injury legal options. Potential seat belt failures and defects include:
- Buckles that do not latch properly
- Buckles that snap open on impact
- Webbing that cracks or breaks on impact
- A retractor that does not tighten on impact
Seat belt issues could also result from design flaws, manufacturing errors, or installation errors. Your seat belt injury lawyer’s investigation will aim to prove the precise flaw in your seat belt’s functionality.
Most Car Accident and Defective Product Lawyers Work on Contingency
You can hire a seatbelt failure lawyer to represent you without incurring any upfront costs. They will not require a retainer or any out-of-pocket fees at all. Instead, the law firm will cover all the costs of investigating, preparing, and filing your personal injury claim. You will only compensate the law firm if they recover damages for you and owe no fees if you do not receive compensation.
How a Lawyer Can Help You File an Insurance Claim or Seatbelt Defect Lawsuit
Proving a defective seatbelt is a legal challenge, especially if it was mangled in the accident. If you have a seat belt defects attorney on your side, they can take on the insurance company and do all of the following:
- Investigate the cause of the collision
- Prove your seat belt was defective
- Gather physical evidence and paperwork
- Draft and file your insurance claim and lawsuit
- Handle all case-related paperwork
- Speak to the seat belt manufacturer’s insurance company for you
- Interview lay witnesses and relevant experts
- Report the faulty seat belt to the appropriate authorities
- Negotiate for a fair and appropriate settlement
Your Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers will also provide you with ongoing updates as your case develops and throughout the settlement negotiation process.
A Lawyer Can Gather Evidence That Proves the Car Accident Seatbelt Malfunction
When you hire a lawyer to represent you in a product liability lawsuit, they can obtain data, inspection reports, and other relevant information you might find difficult to access on your own.
Your personal injury attorney will bring a pool of resources and team members to your claim. They can search for seat belt or vehicle recalls with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They can also collect other evidence that supports your right to financial recovery. Your case file can include evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and vehicle inspections.
How a Lawyer Can Fight to Maximize Your Seatbelt Failure Compensation
Getting the compensation you deserve for seat belt injuries can be a time-consuming process. While a speedy settlement can be tempting, a seat belt failure lawyer can maximize your financial recovery by waiting for you to reach maximum medical improvement and collecting all the bills associated with your accident.
Compensation your defective products attorney requests can include:
- Economic damages—Past and future medical bills, treatment-related travel, past and future lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, and property damage, loss, or diminished value
- Non-economic damages—Lasting disabilities, significant scarring and disfigurement, ongoing pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life
Your family could also be entitled to wrongful death damages for the loss of a loved one due to a faulty or malfunctioning seat belt. Your Fort Lauderdale wrongful death lawyer will clarify who can file your wrongful death action and which family members can receive compensation.
Car Accident Claims for Seatbelt Failure Have a Statute of Limitations
Florida’s personal injury statute of limitations recently changed, making compliance challenging without legal support. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you generally have:
- Two years from the accident date to file your personal injury lawsuit
- Two years from your loved one’s death date to file your wrongful death lawsuit
Various factors could alter the filing deadline, further complicating timely filing and compliance. The best way to avoid missing the filing deadline is to let an auto accident lawyer handle it for you. They will file your lawsuit on time and in the appropriate court.
Get Legal Support for Your Defective Seat Belt Failure Claim
If a defective seatbelt injured you or a loved one, you could be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer of the seat belt or car. You do not have to take on all the challenges of recovering damages alone.
Find out how a lawyer can help when your seat belt fails to work in a car accident. Call (954) 633-8270 today for your free consultation with a team member at the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato.
