Spinal Cord Injury Caused by Seatback Failure

Vehicle seatback failures have been a hidden danger in the U.S. automotive industry for decades. Many families have experienced severe repercussions of paralysis, disability, and spinal cord injuries that could have been avoided.

Car seatback failures happen when the front seats of a car fail to stay upright during a collision, particularly during rear-end accidents. During a rear impact, passengers place a tremendous amount of force onto seatbacks, or the upright portion of seats. A poorly designed or poorly built seat may simply fall backwards, causing a passenger to be hurled backwards as well.

The Danger of Seatback Collapse

When car seatbacks fail, individuals often bear the brunt of a major impact directly onto their neck and upper back area. In some cases, individuals are forced onto a car's rear seats. In more severe instances, people are thrown out of cars entirely, causing them to sustain extensive spine and brain injuries.

Seatback failures can be especially damaging because they often result in damage to the upper area of the spine, which controls upper body motor function (the C1-C6 cervical nerves and the T1-T12 thoracic nerves). Injuries to these areas place victims at the greatest risk for quadriplegia.

Seatbacks and Crashworthiness

Regardless of how accidents happen, cars in the U.S. must be able to keep passengers as safe as possible in the event of a wreck. This is known as crashworthiness, and a seat made according to modern auto industry standards can greatly reduce the possibility of spinal cord injuries during rear-end accidents.

Car seat safety has been the subject of studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the subject of legal action against major car manufacturers such as General Motors, Ford, and Chrystler. Many experts content the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for seating systems is too weak for the needs of car passengers. Studies at the University of California-Berkeley and University of Virginia have highlighted the importance of car seat resistance and have called for greater standards of resistance.

Understanding Your Legal Recourse

If you are facing the devastating consequences of these injuries, the experts at Ammons Law firm can help you understand your legal options. Ammons Law firm is experienced in cases involving the largest auto manufacturers and complex spinal cord injuries. We can help you seek the funds you need for all your past, present, future spinal cord injury expenses.

Call us today at (866) 523-1606 to learn more about our law firm and spinal cord injury resources. We'll be happy to discuss your injury in a no-obligation consultation.