Seat Belt Safety
Since the addition of seat belts, or safety belts, as a standard feature in automobile design, countless lives have been saved in automobile accidents due to their effectiveness in preventing injury.
However, for seat belts to efficiently protect you and your family, it is imperative that they are working properly and worn in the correct manner. By familiarizing yourself with the various seat belt designs, you can be sure to get the most out of these important safety features.
The Lap Belt
While the lap belt is infrequently used in new car designs, many older car models still have the lap belt model of safety belts. These belts consist of an adjustable strap that fits over the waist of the passenger. This design is frequently found in the back seats of cars and is still used on airplane seats.
To wear a lap belt properly, you should ensure that the belt is fitted snugly across the top of your lap, fitting over your pelvic bone, but not across your stomach.
Three-Point Design
The three-point design features one continuous piece of material that fits across the chest of the individual as well as over his or her lap. This is the most frequently used design in current car manufacturing.
To wear a three-point design properly, you should make sure that the shoulder strap is fitted directly across your chest and never tucked behind you or twisted. The lap portion of the belt should fit across your lap, similar to the position of the lap only belt.
Belt-in-Seat Model
The belt-in-seat safety belt is nearly identical to the three-point design except that the top of the shoulder strap is connected to the seat itself and not the frame of the automobile.
Car safety belts are critical safety features in automobiles, but they are only effective so long as they are functioning properly.
Contact a Minneapolis Product Liability Lawyer
If you have been in injured because of faulty or defective seat belts, contact the Minneapolis product liability lawyer of Terry, Slane & Ruohonen, P.L.L.C. at 612-362-0000 today to discuss your legal rights and options.
