A seat back failure can cause the occupant to ramp rearward toward an ejection portal such as broken window or an open door. When a car is struck from the rear end the forces work in the opposite direction. The car is then suddenly pushed forward and the occupants are thrown backward. The safety objective of a seatback is to remain upright while cushioning and containing the occupant’s body.

Seatbacks can fail under various circumstances. Poorly designed or defective seats can cause unnecessary injuries in tail impact collisions. Some seats fail due to the relative acceleration of the body mass of the occupant during a collision whereas others fail under the weight of the occupant while a vehicle is stationary or traveling at a constant velocity.

Seat back failures can be attributed to non-sturdy and defective parts including seat tracks and recliner mechanisms. The two most common types of seat back failure are the ineffectiveness of the seat support system to maintain an upright position and the deformation of the seat back frame itself. Another problem is the detachment of non-integral head restraints during an accident.

Less common seat back failures are failures that have been attributed to deformation of the mounting system that holds the seat to the vehicle floor or to a collapse of the vehicle floor pan.

A strong seat back can prevent failure and collapse from occurring. Seatbacks are most affected by rear-impact crashes because a number of seatbacks defects can occur.

Accidents resulting from seat back failure include paraplegia, brain damage, quadriplegia and death. Other injuries include many forms of painful and disabling upper spinal column and head trauma. Injuries to the head and neck have been worsened by poor seat back construction, including poorly designed headrests.

When seat back failure results from a collision the driver may lose control of the vehicle exposing the occupants to otherwise avoidable crashes. The car exits may be blocked and passengers may be ejected out of the failed seats possibly through rear or side windows or doors.

If you have been injured in a car crash as a result of seat back failure you may have a product liability action against the manufacturer of the vehicle. Contact a lawyer immediately to know your rights and the options available to you and so that the vehicle and the evidence can be secured. Time is always of the utmost importance as a delay can cause you to lose your rights.