Door Latch Failure
A door or hatch latch is a vital component in a vehicle safety system. The fundamental concept behind automobile and truck door and hatch latches is that they should stay closed in foreseeable automobile accidents. Passengers are most likely to survive an accident if they remain inside the vehicle. If the door or hatch latches fail, an opening is created through which a driver or passenger can be ejected or thrown from the vehicle, and an ejected occupant is much more likely to sustain serious injuries upon impact with the road or other objects.
Many vehicles have door latches that fail under the stress of an accident, causing severe injuries and deaths in accidents that would otherwise result in minor or no injuries. Sometimes door latches fail due to mechanical problems. Other failures are commonly caused improper design, production, or installation. Weak metals or poor design can cause door latches to open in survivable car accidents. Manufacturers can be held liable when the failure is due to a flaw or negligence in the design, production, or installation of the door latch.
If you or a loved one had a car accident involving door or rear hatch failure, you have legal rights. Get a free consultation with the crashworthiness lawyers of Davis, Bethune & Jones, LLC by calling our firm at 1-800-875-5972 or by filling out the form at the right.
Additional Latch Failure Information
