Are the Hazards of Heated Seats Being Ignored?
There are always safety concerns when it comes to being behind the wheel of a car. Many drivers check to ensure that their brakes are working properly, their tire pressure is correct and that their airbags are turned on. What many drivers tend to overlook, though, is the danger posed by the heated seats in their car.
The seat warmer feature is a convenient addition to any vehicle, and although it may be very useful during the colder months, the damage that can be caused should the feature malfunction is astronomical. If you have a seat warmer that has malfunctioned, you may have a viable lawsuit against the manufacturer of your vehicle and you should contact a personal injury attorney in Atlanta immediately.
Between 2000 and 2014, there have been approximately 1,800 individual cases of drivers saying their seat warmer became so intensely heated that it produced smoke, flames and holes in the upholstery of their respective vehicles. In some cases, the heat produced from the seat warmer can burn through the upholstery and clothing, eventually burning the skin. This is an uncommon occurrence and typically occurs in cases where there is significant and continued use of the seat warmer function.
In an attempt to address and mitigate the potential for injury stemming from the use of seat warmers, Safety Research & Strategies, Inc issued a letter to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requesting that the administration set a standard for safe temperatures, as one has not been previously set. In response to this inquiry, the NHTSA expressed a willingness to study the issue and encourage the Society of Automotive Engineers to formulate a standard to be applied uniformly.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a faulty seat warmer, you may be entitled to compensation. You are going to need the assistance of a lawyer with experience in product liability and auto defects. Contact Harris Lowry Manton, LLP today for a free review of your case with one of our experienced lawyers serving the Atlanta and Savannah areas.
Harris Lowry Manton LLP is a dedicated full-service trial law firm. Our Georgia personal injury lawyers fight for the injured throughout every step of the legal process. We explain how litigation works from the moment you come into one of our offices in Atlanta or Savannah until your case is solved. Our legal team has achieved remarkable success because we leave no stone unturned when investigating our client’ claims and what should have been done to prevent their injuries. We file claims against all responsible parties — not just the most obvious one.
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