Newer vehicles often come equipped with special features that are supposed to make driving more comfortable. One of those options is heated car seats, which can keep you toasty during the colder months.
Unfortunately, you also can be injured by this feature. After you are injured by heated car seats, you should file a dangerous product claim to get the compensation you deserve. To learn more about your legal rights when you or someone you love has been seriously injured by a product, contact a NY State personal injury lawyer.
Dangers of Car Seat Heaters
One of the safety features that sometimes come with car seat heaters is automatic shutoff. However, they sometimes malfunction, and this malfunction could pose a burn risk. They may also come with different settings such as low, medium and high. Yet any type of malfunction could cause the seat to heat up quickly.
Although the risk of being burned exists for any driver or passenger, those who are paralyzed from the waist down may be especially prone to the dangers. Expecting a heater to shut off or not feeling the temperature at a higher setting could result in first- or second-degree burns. It may even cause third-degree burns.
Since the installation of these heaters in cars, there have been many individuals who were injured. While there are recommendations that the seat heaters should not be able to exceed 105 degrees, some of them still do.
In addition to the risk of being burned, there may be fire dangers that exist. In fact, recalls on some car seat heaters have been issued as a result of this hazard.
There are other reasons that an individual using a car seat heater may not be able to feel the temperature. Drivers and passengers with certain types of illnesses and the elderly may need to exercise special precautions. Additionally, those who take certain medications or are fatigued could be at risk.
Filing a Dangerous Product Claim Stemming from a Car Seat Heater Injury
If you or a loved one were seriously injured after using a car seat heater, compensation may be available. You may be eligible to file a claim if you can show the manufacturer was negligent.
This could be the result of not providing adequate warnings, a defect in the automatic shutoff feature, inadequate instructions for use or any other form of negligence.
You could be entitled to receive compensation that addresses your medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and other damages.
Contacting a NY State Personal Injury Lawyer
Dangerous product claims can be very complicated, especially if there is a third party involved. For instance, the manufacturer may be liable, but other parties also could be negligent.
Let’s say a car seat heater had been recalled, but a car dealership offers you a vehicle that has the same heater installed. The dealership could be held liable for any resulting injuries.
Determining exactly who was negligent can take time. You will need to have adequate evidence that supports liability. This is where a lawyer can help.
Some of the types of evidence that may be used to prove your side could be any recall notices, a copy of the instructions that may show lacking information or any other type of documentation related to the product. In addition, pictures of your injuries and medical records will be necessary to show the type and severity of your injuries.
Your next step should be to contact a NY State personal injury lawyer at Gacovino Lake & Associates. Our law firm serves New York City residents and clients nationwide. For experienced help with your dangerous product claim, contact us today at 800-246-4878.
