SHOULDER BELT DEFECT - AUTOMATIC BELTS WITHOUT A LAP BELT OR SEPARATE MANUAL LAP BELT INJURY & DEATH LAWSUITS
Shoulder-only seatbelts were first introduced in the United States by Volkswagen, with the introduction of the 1975 VW Rabbit, which had a door-mounted automatic shoulder only seatbelt (WITH NO LAP BELT). Immediately, the serious injuries began.  Upon frontal impact, the occupant’s torso submarines or slips under belt, but the head and necks catches on the shoulder belt, essentially “clothlining” the occupant, causing broken necks, spinal cord injuries and death. Shoulder only belted also occur, when the manual lap belt on door-mounted shoulder belts or motorized belts were installed in all VW models except the Cabriolet, which had an airbag. Unfortunately, some automakers, including Hyundai, continued to equip vehicles with shoulder only belts, up through 1989 with the Hyundai Excel. Later many automakers included a manual lap belt with the automatic shoulder belt. The problem with this “improvement” was most consumers forgot to wear the manual lap belt and while some didn’t even know there vehicles had them.
Studies showed that over 70-80% of the seatbelted occupants in such vehicles, either forgot to latch the manual lap belt, or didn't even realize that the lap belt was even there or was needed since the shoulder belt had "secured" them. Most assumed, that once the automatic shoulder belt had locked / latched into position, then the occupant was safe. This assumption proved to be a killer. Such poor, defective designs compromised the effectiveness of such "automatic" seatbelts, and some fit the occupant very poorly, and many needless injuries were caused by the shoulder belt when it was worn inadvertently without the lap belt also being utilized. The injuries to the occupants continued, as more and more of the automatic shoulder belts with no lap belts, began to appear in many of the late 1970’s and into the 1990’s. As the DOT pushed forward with the passive restraint rules, the automakers concentrated on developing automatic belts that were easier to use but were less protective and less expensive than air bags.Shoulder-only seat belts are still contained in 10,000's of vehicles in the United States, and will continue to kill and maim until the last one is gone.
 If you or a loved one have been seriously injured or a loved one killed in a vehicle that came equipped with automatic belts or door mounted belts, then you may have a right to file a legal action to recover for your injuries or losses. Willis Law Firm is very familiar with this problem and has previously battled with many of the auto manufacturers and others concerning these seat belt defects. If you would like us to evaluate your case or accident, then please call us to discuss further. Call 1-800-883-0958 for a Free Confidential Consultation or fill out this online Seat Belt Lawsuit Evaluation Form
PLEASE NOTE: The statements and information provided on this web site are for the informational purposes only. This law firm is not affiliated in any way with any trademark owner. The use of any trademarks on this site is for product identification and information purposes only. This webpage is provided to you to assist in information about seat belt injuries, seatbelt deaths, seat belt defects, rear seat or center seat lap only belt injury, lawsuits, seat belt buckle failure, buckle opening, NHTSA recall, torn webbing, seat belt recalls, seatbelt retractors, plastic buckle housing defects, problems with the tall end release buttons on the Generation 3 or Gen 3 seat belt buckle button on some Chrysler vehicles, lap belt injury, excessive slack in belt webbing, automatic belt injuries,and other seat belt defects and failures.This site is not intended to provide legal advice to the reader and NO attorney-client relationship shall be deemed to arise from the receipt this page and/or its associated pages or any oral or e-mail communication to or from with the Willis Law Firm. There will be NO lawsuits filed, claims made, letters or phone calls made for a prospective client, until that person is represented by the firm. An attorney client relationship only arises after the attorney and client have signed a written attorney client contract.
Mr. Willis is licensed attorney in New York and Texas. He is a Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Lawyer, certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Read more about Board Certification, Click Here. Principle office is Houston, Texas.
Mr. Willis has represented clients in personal injury, auto accident, seat belt defects, suv rollover, van & truck rollovers and other product liability and negligence cases from across the United States, including clients from Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin & West Virginia.
Further, any statement or reference to past personal injury, products liability or other lawsuits, settlements or verdicts should NOT be relied upon in one's own case or in your decision on which law firm to hire. All client's cases, facts, injuries, damages, venues and lawsuits are different and there is NO way to predict the outcome of a particular case, verdict of a jury or judge or the strength of a case before a judge, jury or the appellate court system. The client is responsible for all of their own medical expenses. All cases are handled on a contingent fee basis. NO attorneys fees or case costs charged to client, unless a recovery is made for the client. Often in very serious and catastrophic injury and death cases Mr. Willis may associate with another products liability attorney as co-counsel and in other matters, the case may be referred. In cases where a legal matter is referred, Mr. Willis will continue to maintain joint responsibility with the handling attorney or lead counsel and actively monitor the progress and development of the case. Due to his 22+ years of experience in personal injury and products liability cases, Mr. Willis will often continue to assist in working with the hired experts and engineers and in research of the defective product or other related legal matters in the case.
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