Mazda seatbelt lawsuit headed to U.S. Supreme Court

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

The U.S. Supreme Court set rule whether or not current federal regulations protect automakers from being sued under state product liability laws. According The Wall Street Journal, justices will examine California lawsuit that claims that Mazda should be held responsible the death passenger 1993 MPV minivan. The passenger was riding the middle seat, wearing lap belt, when an accident occurred. The belt caused serious internal injuries that eventually led death. The plaintiff’s argument that not installing three-point seatbelts the center row the vehicle, Mazda failed do everything its power protect the occupants the vehicle.

It’s important note that three-point seatbelts didn’t become legal requirement all seating positions until 2007. Before that time, regulations established 1989 said that three-point belts were only required outboard seats, so Mazda built MPV conform laws place when vehicle was built sold.

The lawsuit was originally rejected after Mazda pointed a 2000 Supreme Court case which Honda was unsuccessfully sued after injuries occurred a 1987 Honda Accord. In that case, plaintiff said that Honda was responsible because it did not install airbags vehicle.

The Supreme Court will hear case 2010-2011 term starting October.

[Sources: The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg | Image: Chip Somodevilla/Getty]

Mazda seatbelt lawsuit headed to U.S. Supreme Court originally appeared on Autoblog Tue, 25 May 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms use feeds.

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