Ford Issues Recall for Defective Seat Belts that Have Caused Injuries
If you have been hurt in an auto accident that was caused by defective parts, or because of the negligence of the other driver, then you are going to need the services of a skilled Wilmington, Seaford or Newark auto accident lawyer from the law firm of Silverman, McDonald & Friedman. We are here to protect your rights and to make sure that you get all the compensation you deserve.
The Ford Motor Company has announced the recall of about 680,000 vehicles because of defective seat belts. the vehicles affected by this Ford recall include the 2015-2016 model Mondeo, 2013-2015 Lincoln MKZ and the 2013-2015 Ford Fusion passenger vehicles. There have been two known crashes with two injuries caused by a problem with the pretensioner cables that separate due to increased temperatures that are generated when the seat belt pretensioner deploys. If the cable should separate in a crash it would not be able to restrain the passengers, according to the Detroit News.
Vehicle owners will be notified if their vehicle is included in the recall.
Seat belts are supposed to save lives
Auto accidents continue to be one of the leading causes of death for people aged 1-54 in the United States each year, and seat belt use is one of the most effective ways to save lives and reduce injuries in crashes according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2014, there were 21,022 passenger vehicle deaths in auto accidents and more than 2.3 million drivers and passenger injuries in collisions. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that safety belts cut the rate of serious traffic crash-related deaths and injuries in half, and in 2014, seat belt were estimated to have saved 12,802 lives.
If you want to stay abreast of auto safety recalls, you can visit SaferCar.gov and type your vehicle’s VIN number into the NHTSA’s recall database. You can also sign up for push notifications for any recalls that could take place in the future that affect your vehicle.
Complying with vehicle safety recalls and maintaining your vehicle in safe condition helps to ensure your safety and the safety of the other drivers with whom you share the roads.
You are encouraged to call Silverman, McDonald & Friedman at 302.414.5553 or fill out our contact form to talk with us about our legal services, and to schedule a free consultation with one of our auto accident lawyers in Newark, Seaford or Wilmington. When you have been hurt in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, we protect your rights to compensation when you have been hurt because of someone else’s negligent behavior.
Attorney Jeffrey S. Friedman joined Silverman, McDonald & Friedman in 2001. He graduated from Widener University School of Law, and is admitted to practice law in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and in several Federal Circuit courts. He areas of concentration include auto accident and workers’ compensation cases. Read more about Attorney Friedman here.