lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Yes, I did consider it because there's absolutely nothing holding me in the seat if it's fully reclined. I can EASILY slide out from under the belt with the seat fully reclined and I've known this for many years.

-J-P-L-

Thanks for clarifying the story. This whole discussion has been based on her being the driver.

Still, there is no grounds for a lawsuit. Any idiot should know that laying down in a moving car greatly compromises safety. They'll be at risk in ANY car. NO seat belt design would work to keep you safe. Think about the physics for a moment. Any straps going over a horizontally positioned body are noneffective because you just slide under them (in a forward/backward thrust).

It's like those moron passengers that put their feet on the dash or even out the window in a moving car. Are they hoping to be split in half??? I always cringe when I see that.

Hyundai's design is basically the same as every other car. It has to be to past safety regulations. And yet they lose this ridiculous case? How is this even possible? Did they manage to collect the 12 stupidest people in the world to be the jury?

darkdream

Might as well put a crap load of warning labels on every consumer product, heck each piece too. Car manufacturers could use fixed seats with racing belts, but I bet most people would prefer the status quo. People need to use common sense and logic, something most people lack.

Och

iTrader: (3)

Well Mike, as usual you are a lot more reasonable and rational than I am.

I didn't necessarily mean what I said literally, but I still find the verdict ridiculous, and I think the Judge and the Jury should be accountable for such frivolous nonsense.

oohpapi44

iTrader: (1)

Thank you, finally another 'fool' like me who is using the story as a reminder of what could happen. We have all put the seat back and took a nap on a long road trip without giving it a second thought.

Like I said earlier, they shouldn't have awarded any money at all.

Och

iTrader: (3)

I try to never nap in a car, even when I'm a passenger.

First of all, when someone is sleeping in the car, the driver can get sleepy as well, but most of all, I like to be aware of the situation. If, God forbid, there's an unavoidable accident, I'd rather be awake and prepared than get caught sleeping.

raptor22

this lawsuit is as ridiculous as that mcdonalds case with the hot coffee. Reading about cases like these makes me wish i were a judge so i can throw out these cases and fine the plaintiff for wasting time and money.

LexFather

Its quite possible Hyundai's lawyers didn't do a good enough job to win this case. You see as of late with the big Toyota recall and others doing recalls it doesn't do an automobile company any favors when they go to court. To the jury, they are already guilty based on "recalls" that have nothing to do with the case (and should not have any weight with the jurors).

The bottom line is people want to sue for everything. Now cars will have disclaimers that if you recline and sit back the seatbelt won't help.

Sad we need common sense disclaimers.

-J-P-L-

Yeah, another big ugly bright yellow sign slapped on our interiors. I can't wait.

How about these people just lock themselves in a padded room instead of messing up everything for the rest of us.

LexFather

What you suggest is a more humane method than Och.

joe80

Thank God this didn't happen to Toyota because CNN would've had 24 hour marathon of Toyota vs. poor girl who died in a car debate.

bnizzle87

i was thinking the same thing, man! its just bad manners to begin with, but in actuality, some people never really thing about what could occur. those airbags would crush a person's feet into the windshield. not only that, ive seen crusty *** feet, people's heads, and their pets' heads out of windows. i dont think for a second the car should be held liable for those who want to be dumb.

the mcdonalds lady won...for being dumb. coffee without a lid and it spills while driving = disaster. it did set a precedent that coffee should have lids with the warning label on them. this thing with the seats being reclined too far back- it was the lady's choice to recline as far back as she did, yet hyundai has to fork over the dough?! it is unfortunate what happened to the lady, but i dont see how hyundai should be held responsible for a choice she made.

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

Knowing that she was asleep as the passenger, I agree that they shouldnt have been awarded money. Though, I am fairly certain that the majority of people do not consider flying out of your seat a possibility, when your seatbelt is on. Despite what you guys are saying in hindsight.

Seatbelts should be designed to keep you restrained in any locked position on your seat. If that means you cant lean back... so be it. Seriously, why would someone need to lean back so far in a car, other than to sleep.

Also, sitting in my 3000GT, I feel confident that even fully reclined, the seatbelt will hold me. Perhaps more cars should have their restraint systems designed like my 17 year olf vehicle.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

"Common sense" is a disappearing trait these days and people need warning labels on everything. Stateside many drivers don't take the task of driving seriously. This is noted by the gaggle of laws enacted each year to protect people from their own stoopidity. More to come no doubt.

Hyundai got screwed here..well, welcome to doing business in the states. Land of some of the lamest lawsuits that actually make it into courtrooms for hearings. Way back, people took responsibility fortheir own actions, now it seems hand holding is necessary for many aspects of life otherwise, sue somebody.

Like the sidewalk that has risen due to the tree roots. If the city doesn't grade it level, some dumb azz will trip, break a hip, arm and who's at fault...the city. Not withstanding the person was probably staggering home with a BAC around 1.2, wearing flip flops while texting.

The land of we can blame it on somebody else and get $$.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

It's great to feel confident. It won't save you when you slide out from under the belts.

There are no street legal seatbelts capable of holding you in place in an accident when you are reclined. NONE.

5 or 6 point racing belts are the only belts capable of holding a body in the seat under all crash conditions, but they require at least a roll bar to prevent the roof from crushing you because those wonderful belts won't let you slide down if the roof caves in, AND they require a fixed seat which will not allow any reclining of any kind. No car so equipped would be well received by the public because people want seats they can adjust and reclining seats. Comfort trumps safety.

And please don't try to tell me I haven't considered this - I was in a car accident when I was 13. The car was a '63 Ford Falcon. It did not have seat belts from the factory. I put my elbow through the windshield because I was unrestrained. I've thought about what seat belts do and how they work ever since then, and this happened in 1973. I've known for a very long time, if I choose to recline fully, I'm putting myself at a MUCH greater risk of injury or death than if I sit upright.