In real cases, the issue is often more specific than “the belt didn’t protect me.” Depending on the circumstances, a defect claim may involve allegations that the seatbelt:
- Failed to lock when it should have during braking or impact
- Allowed excessive slack or abnormal belt movement
- Jammed in a way that prevented proper restraint
- Deployed or pretensioned improperly
- Had a retractor or anchorage problem that affected restraint performance
Westminster drivers often deal with vehicles that get serviced frequently, sometimes after hail or minor repairs. If your seatbelt system was altered, repaired, or replaced after a prior event, that can become part of the defect and causation story.


