Crashworthiness Defective Products |
||
|
||
| Home | Tell a Friend | Bookmark Site | Contact Us | Subscribe | ||
|
|
Crashworthiness: Defective ProductsCrashworthiness is the ability of a vehicle to prevent injuries to the occupants in the event of a collision. It deals primarily with the 'second collision' in which the driver and passengers collide against the interior of the vehicle. (The primary collision occurs when two vehicles collide.) Crashworthiness features include roll bars, airbags, seat belts, headrests, side impact protection, and crumple zones. These features are designed to minimize occupant injuries, prevent ejection from the vehicle, and reduce the risk of fire. Seat PerformanceThere are a variety of factors that can affect seat performance: the seat adjuster, seat back, or seat tracks/anchors can all fail in the event of a collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires that car seats withstand 3,300 in-lbs of energy when involved in a collision. This means that the seat must withstand a reasonable amount of force in an accident. Head RestraintsThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires that head restraints be at least 27.5 inches above the seating reference point in the fully extended position, or optionally, that head restraints not allow the head and torso to exceed a 45-degree angle during a forward acceleration of 8g. There are two types of head restraints that meet these requirements:
Neck injuries are more likely to occur in an accident if the vehicle is equipped with poorly designed or defective head restraints. Air BagsAir bags are classified as passive restraint systems - this means that an airbag does not require human assistance in order to effectively protect the occupants of a vehicle. They are located in the steering wheel and dash of a vehicle and are designed to deploy in the event of a frontal collision. Air bags have been known to cause injuries and fatalities. They can be especially dangerous for infants and small children. Infant car seats should never be placed in the front passenger seat. They should be positioned in one of the back passenger seats. It is also recommended that children under the age of 12 ride in the rear passenger seats. Find a Crashworthiness Lawyer in Any State: |
|