Hidden Dangers for Children in Charleston Car Wrecks

Clore Law · December 3 2014

It is widely understood that child car seats save lives and prevent injuries when used properly. There are numerous tools available to verify if you're using the correct safety restraint system and there are even checkpoints, which specialize in verifying proper installation. However, despite parents taking these extra precautions to protect their children in the event of a crash, Charleston car wrecks can still be deadly. The Hidden Danger Parents rely on car seats to protect their children, and they should be able to. After all, the CDC reports that they can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent in some age groups. Nevertheless, sometimes the devices don't help at all and occasionally, they're deadlier than the car wreck itself. Recalls In 2014, the largest safety recall of car seats in U.S. history occurred. Initially, reports came in from concerned parents who had difficulty unbuckling their Graco car seats. While most of these incidents were minor annoyances, some parents reported having to cut the seat belt straps in order to free their child. In at least one case, a car caught fire and a little girl was tragically killed, as she was not able to be freed in time. This particular case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum, but nothing makes up for the loss of life. What began as a 3.8 million car seat recall for Graco, ended up involving over 6 million supposed safety devices. The Problem The buckles were made by a company called AmSafe Commercial Products and were used on Graco seats, as well as a further 202,000 rear-facing infant seats made by Evenflo. Both are largely trusted brands among parents and have a reputation for designing safe products. However, when the NHTSA notified Graco that their restraints were dangerous, the company was slow to respond and a government investigation as to the timeliness of their action to recall is underway. Denying Responsibility While it seems fairly clear-cut that Graco sold a faulty product, the company has tried to stand by their claims of safety and effectiveness. Per a New York Times article, Graco attempted to defend their line by explaining that the buckles only malfunctioned when food, liquid, or another foreign material was left to dry on it. No doubt, most parents would agree with the NHTSA, that the potential for the buckles to become dirty was "completely foreseeable." Graco has further tried to calm parents' fears, explaining that the seats still protect children in the event of a crash. Perhaps the most concerning of their denials, though, is that when the NHTSA told them to recall more infant seats, Graco's stance was that the seats could be removed from their bases in the event of an emergency and did not need to be recalled. To date, the company still refuses to admit fault and claims they are simply following the NHTSA's advice.

Charleston Car Wreck Attorney

Cases involving both a collision and a faulty product are complex. On one hand, there may be personal injuries and damage to your vehicle. If you weren't at fault for the accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the other driver. On the other hand, if your child was in a defective car seat and was injured as a result of a company's negligence, you may also receive reparations from the manufacturer as well. In situations like these, you need an experienced litigation attorney to help ensure each party is held accountable for their actions, and that you receive fair settlements. Contact us online or speak directly with one of our lawyers by calling 1(800)610-2546.