GWINNETT COUNTY, GA- Law.com reports that a man who suffered serious injuries while riding in a Kia Optima has filed a products liability lawsuit against the auto manufacturer alleging that the company’s seats are defective and that the seat contributed to the severity of his injuries.
Michael Insalaca was injured when he was involved in a head-on collision that occurred after another driver crossed over the middle line and struck his father’s Kia. Insalaca was in the passenger seat, his father was driving, and his mother was in the back seat on the passenger side, behind Insalaca.
The impact of the collision caused Insalaca’smother’s knee to ram into the back of the front passenger seat. The force hit Insalaca in the back and caused a fractured spine and ribs.
The plaintiff is now partially paralyzed from the injuries. The lawsuit alleges that the reason these injuries occurred was that the seat was not made to absorb the impact.
Insalaca’s attorney claims that the company knew that the seat presented dangers and put people at risk of being seriously injured or killed. The company had other options to choose from that would have provided more protections, but the seats used to putpeople at risk of being hit and injured by other passengers or luggage when they are involved in fairly common and foreseeable types of car accidents. A better seat design could have prevented the injuries from occurring.
Kia has not yet responded to the complaint. If the seat is defective, it could lead to a recall by the manufacturer.
