Toyota Rear Seat Lap Only Belts Center, Middle, Outside Seats

Center or middle seat Lap belt and outboard rear seating positions with only a lap belt can kill and maim its victims. The inclusion of a shoulder belt integrated into a lap belt safety system (3-point) can and does save lives. In countries outside the United States, Toyota sold and marketed many of its vehicles with rear-lap and shoulder belts. In fact, since the mid 1970’s Toyota was required to install 3 point belts in the all outboard seating positioned (front and rear) in Australia, West Germany and Sweden. For example, the 1983 Toyota Corolla (U.S. Version) did not have rear shoulder belts, but in the German version the 1983 Toyota Celica Supra and 1983 Toyota Camry both came equipped with lap and shoulder belts.

Why did Toyota not provide Americans the same safety features as the Toyota’s European customers? Could it be that Toyota wanted to save approximately $12-$13 per vehicle? In 1972, NHTSA required Toyota and others to install anchor points (bolting pattern pre-drilled) for the installation of rear-seat shoulder belts. Instead of biting the bullet and installing these life saving shoulder belts, they instead for opted to sell retrofit kits, so the shoulder belt could be added later by the consumer. A quick survey of Toyota dealers, one will quickly find out, most dealers are not even aware of the existence of such retrofit kits, much less how to order one for you. Toyota for some mysterious reason installed rear lap and shoulder belts in their U.S. version of the 1982 Toyota Cressida. Then even more mysterious, Toyota in the next model year, Toyota removed shoulder belts for the outboard seating positions in the same vehicle.

FACT: Rear Seat Lap Belts with Shoulder Belts Saves Lives and Prevents to prevents many Unnecessary Spinal Cord Injuries, Paraplegia & Quadriplegia

Shoulder belts when properly installed with lap belts prevent severe closed head injuries, internal injuries and spinal cord injuries by preventing the upper torso from jackknifing or accelerating into the back of the front seat or into the roof pillar. In fact, without a shoulder belt, an occupant’s upper torso can accelerate at a speed exceeding the speed of the actual impact velocity of the occupant’s vehicle. When this occurs, catastrophic injuries result. As early as the 1950’s, medical studies recognized the need for upper torso restraint to prevent head and spinal cord injuries. The domestic and foreign automakers were aware to such studies and in fact did crash testing that proved the need for shoulder belts in all seating positions. But, Toyota like many U.S. automakers opted to risk the occupants safety rather than spend $12-$15.00 per vehicle to install these shoulder belts. A cost, an informed American consumer, would have gladly paid.

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in any vehicle manufactured that only had lap belts without a shoulder belt in any seating position and you believe that a shoulder belt may have prevented or lessened your injury, then you may have a right to file a legal action to recover for your injuries or losses. The Willis Law Firm is very familiar with this problem and has previously battled with many of the auto and seat belt manufacturers concerning these defective seat belts and other design issues. Talk to a Board Certified Personal Injury Trial Lawyer certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Call Toll Free 1-800-883-9858 or fill out this Free 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.

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