When a car or truck crash leads to serious injuries, questions often arise about whether those injuries could have been reduced or prevented altogether. Crashworthiness refers to how well a vehicle protects its occupants during an accident. Even if a crash is caused by another driver, the condition and design of your own vehicle may affect the extent of the harm you suffer.
If a vehicle lacks proper safety features or if those features fail during a collision, the manufacturer may be responsible for the injuries that result. In these situations, a claim may focus not just on who caused the crash but also on how the vehicle responded when it happened. This is where crashworthiness becomes a key part of the discussion about liability.
Vehicle features that should protect you
Crashworthiness looks at how the design and construction of a vehicle safeguard its occupants during impact. The goal is to reduce harm by absorbing energy, controlling movement inside the vehicle and preventing dangerous outcomes like ejection or fire. Some features commonly examined in crashworthiness claims include:
- Seat belts and restraint systems: These should keep passengers securely in place and reduce internal movement that could lead to injury.
- Crumple zones: These areas of the vehicle are designed to deform and absorb force, keeping the cabin space more intact during impact.
- Airbags: Frontal and side airbags help cushion the body and prevent contact with hard surfaces.
- Seat backs: Strong seat backs can reduce the chance of spinal injury by preventing collapse during rear-end collisions.
- Door latches: Doors should remain closed during an accident to reduce the chance of ejection.
- Laminated window glass: This type of glass helps prevent shattering and keeps occupants from being thrown from the vehicle.
If any of these features are defective, missing or poorly installed, the manufacturer may be held responsible for the resulting injuries.
Crashworthiness can have a direct impact on legal liability following a car or truck accident. If you believe that the condition or design of a vehicle made your injuries worse, obtaining legal guidance can be helpful in determining your next steps.
