Texas Automobile Accidents: What Happens When a Seat Back Fails?
When we purchase a vehicle, we do so with the understanding that it will keep us as safe as possible during an accident. Unfortunately, many vehicles have design defects or are poorly manufactured or assembled, which may lead to serious injuries or death in a crash.
What is Seat Back Failure?
Seat back failure occurs when the back of a seat fails to stay in place during an accident. The seat may fall backwards or it may break. In some cases, the headrest detaches from the rest of the seat.
Seatback failure may have several different causes. For example, employees at the manufacturing facility may have installed the seat improperly. The seat may be made of materials that were too weak to withstand the force of an accident. The design of the seat itself may make it more likely to fail in a crash.
These types of defects may result in an automotive products liability claim. In an automotive products liability claim, an injured victim argues that the defective nature of a vehicle is the direct cause of the victim’s injuries. These claims are different from negligence claims, in which an accident victim argues that another driver’s careless driving was the cause of the accident.
Injuries Caused by Seat Back Failure
Serious injuries may occur after a seat back fails. In extreme cases, passengers may even be killed. Common injuries that are caused by seat back failure include:
- Broken bones
- Skull fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Blunt force trauma
Those who are seated behind a seat—such as children—may suffer especially serious injuries when a seat fails.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim for a Seat Back Failure Case?
Different types of cases have different statutes of limitations that accompany them. The statute of limitations is the deadline by which a legal claim must be filed. If a claimant does not file the claim by the statute of limitations, the claim will likely be dismissed and the claimant will not be entitled to any compensation from the defendant.
In Texas, the statute of limitations for products liability claims is two years from the date of the injury. Though two years may seem like a generous amount of time, many claimants are surprised at how quickly the time passes after an accident.
In addition, it may take several weeks or longer to obtain all of the documents that are needed to file a claim (such as medical records), so it is important to meet with a Texas automotive products liability attorney as soon as possible after an accident.
Do I Really Need an Attorney to Pursue a Seat Back Failure Claim?
Products liability claims, especially those that involve automobile accidents, quickly become complex. Learning what truly caused an accident requires studying accident reports, eyewitness statements, photographs, and product design specifications. Experts generally must be consulted during these claims to explain how and why the seat back failed.
Attorneys have a network of experts they are able to consult in these claims, and they are well aware of how the facts should be applied to the laws of the state. Further, products liability attorneys know the numerous deadlines and requirements that must be met to ensure a case proceeds properly.
With the assistance of an attorney, injured victims are able to focus on recovering from their injuries, returning to work, and moving forward with their lives—not how they will create legal documents and argue in court.
Contact Brooker Law, PLLC Today to Discuss Your Texas Seat Back Failure Case
At Brooker Law, PLLC, our attorneys know how to identify automobile defects and hold the proper parties accountable for your injuries. The products liability attorneys at Brooker Law, PLLC are highly respected by the community and work hard to obtain the best results possible for their clients. To schedule a free consultation to meet with our excellent legal team, contact or call (214) 217-0277 today.