You know that the use of seat belts is mandatory in California. But did you know that they are mandatory on certain three-wheeled vehicles as well?
California Vehicle Code Section 27315.1 makes the use of a seat belt mandatory if you are driving a fully enclosed three-wheeled motorized vehicle which is greater than seven feet in length, four feet in width, and over 900 pounds.
Maybe the three-wheeler you use was not equipped with a seat belt when you purchased it, and in order to comply with the law, you had one installed. You made that effort and expended those funds to not only comply with the law, but to provide you with a greater measure of security should you be involved in an accident.
Perhaps the vehicle came equipped with the seat belt, but luckily, you’ve never been involved in an accident which tested the limits of that seat belt. In any event, you had no idea whether the seat belt was properly installed and functioning until you had that accident, and you discovered the seat belt failed.
While seat belt failure fortunately isn’t an issue in all vehicle collisions, defective auto products shouldn’t go overlooked as a possible cause of a crash, depending on the circumstances of course.
The mandatory seat belt law was enacted to alleviate the injuries suffered by persons in a traffic collision. When seat belts fail either due to manufacturing defects or design flaws, the results can be devastating. If you have found yourself in a situation where the seat belt on your vehicle has failed, you may be able to hold negligent manufacturers liable and obtain compensation for damages associated with your accident. Let the skilled San Jose product liability attorneys at Caputo and Van Der Walde – Injury & Accident Attorneys advocate for you. Call us for a free consultation at (800) 900-0863.