Personal InjuryCar Seats Among Most Widespread of Auto Defects
Until only recently, the NHTSA regulations regarding vehicle seats and seat backs have been incredibly lax. Seats installed in most vehicles are comprised of a frame no stronger than a flimsy beach chair, and because nothing has required auto manufacturers to produce safer seats, the current designs have caused fatalities in even the most minor of fender benders.
Kevin Gleason was strapped into his Buick Century one day in 1996. His five-year-old daughter was seated behind him. Their Buick was struck from behind by a pickup truck traveling less than 25 miles an hour. Kevin's defective seat collapsed and flew backward from the impact, striking and killing his young daughter.
What's infuriating to learn is that manufacturers and regulators alike have known that current seat designs are not built to withstand accidents, and further, that they cause serious injury during even minor accidents. Mark Pozzi, a safety engineer, describes weak seat design as "probably among the most egregious, widespread safety defects to be found."
It's not a fluke accident that killed Kevin's daughter. Many other parents have lost children in seat back failure accidents with vehicles traveling at extremely low speeds. Some drivers who have experienced seat failure in a rear-end collision have been left paralyzed.
In the mean time, engineers have designed seats that provide protection to the seat occupant with out collapsing onto other passengers. In 1996, Chrysler developed seats for their Sebrings that could withstand 3,300 pounds of force, but a year later sold Dodge Rams with seats that could only handle 605 pounds of force. These improved seats, according to GM engineers, cost only $1 more to produce, yet they are not installed in vehicles.
Recent litigation has highlighted the previously unknown dangers of defective seat backs. Finally, auto makers are under pressure to engineer stronger seats that will keep all passengers safe.
Read more about the role of litigation in auto safety.
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