Jay Trucks and Associates Legal Blog

Every morning when we get in our cars to go to work or maybe just to Starbucks for a favorite coffee drink, we do so with the expectation that our vehicle, including our seatbelts, is functional and safe. We make assumptions that the car’s design and materials have gone through many layers of testing to ensure that the product is as safe as it can be for our families and ourselves.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that there were 2.9 million injuries in 2002 due to seat belt defects, malfunctions or poor design. The defects can include:

• Door-mounted seatbelt systems and other automatic systems
• Unlatching and false latching of the seatbelt
• Inadequate seat belt geometry
• Failure of the seatbelt's retractor
• Torn or ripped webbing
• Vehicle system failure

Seat belts are inherently designed to minimize injury during an accident by preventing the body from moving too much inside the vehicle or being thrown from the vehicle after impact.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an automobile accident due to seat belt failure in Flint, Saginaw or anywhere in Michigan, please contact the Michigan personal injury attorneys at Jay Trucks & Associates for help. We offer free consultations and you don’t pay a dime unless we recover a settlement for you.

Auto accidents can be very traumatic events. It is easy to get flustered to the point where you are no longer thinking quickly and alertly. Therefore, it is helpful to keep a checklist handy to make sure that you remember what to do after an accident. Proper action at the time of the incident can greatly affect your ability to recover compensation for your damages.

The following tips will help ensure that you are fully prepared in the event of an accident:

• Keep an emergency kit in your glove compartment. It is important to always carry the following items with you at all times:
o cell phone
o pen and paper
o disposable camera to photograph the scene
o a card containing any important information about your medical history
o a list of emergency contact numbers
• Exchange information with the other driver. Make sure to get the following information from each driver involved in the accident:
o name
o address
o phone number
o insurance information (name of provider, policy number, phone number)
o driver’s license number
o license plate number
o description of the year, make and model of the car
• Photograph and document the accident. Take photos of the accident scene and damage to all vehicles involved with your disposable camera. The purpose of these photos is to provide additional information to prove your case to an insurance adjustor or in a personal injury lawsuit. Also, document the details of the accident – where it occurred, what happened, and what part of your car was hit. If there were any witnesses, record their contact information. You may need them to verify your version of what happened.
• File an accident report. Call the police immediately so that they can file a police report at the scene of your accident. This is especially important if the accident was caused by another driver. A police report documenting that the accident was the fault of another driver will greatly strengthen your case with insurance companies and in the event of a lawsuit. Never admit fault when talking with other parties in the accident, police officers, or insurance agents, even if you believe that you caused the accident.
• Call your insurance provider. The sooner you file your claim, the sooner you can receive compensation for repairs and medical expenses.
• Seek medical attention if you are injured. It is important to be examined by a doctor immediately if you have suffered any injuries. This will provide documentation to be used in your lawsuit.
• Consult an experienced auto accident attorney. In order to ensure that you receive the proper compensation for your damages, it is important to talk with an auto accident attorney who will know how to deal with insurance companies, and who can advise you on whether or not you have a valid auto accident lawsuit.

The attorneys at Jay Trucks & Associates have been helping auto accident victims receive compensation for their injuries throughout the Lansing, Michigan area. Please contact our Michigan auto accident attorneys today to schedule a consultation.