Power Seats

[TLA]

What is the name of your state?
PA

Yesterday - 11/10/2003 - my husband was almost killed by his Ford Mustang.

He had the car turned off and got down on his knees and was stretching to get in front of the driver-side front seat to look for an item. His jacket got caught on the power seat lever and immediately started to crush him. The more he moved to try to get out the more the seat moved forward.

He was alone outside while this happened but fortunately was able to use a free arm to hit the horn. My father and I desperately tried to free him but could not - I had to call 911.

My husband was moments away from passing out - he was having so much trouble breathing and was slowly getting crushed as the minutes ticked by.

Thank God the first person on the scene was not only a volunteer but also a mechanic. Within a few minutes this wonderful volunteer was able to wedge a screwdriver between my husband's body and the front of the seat so that he could then move the lever over so that the seat would go toward the back again.

Thankfully my husband is ok - a bit sore and bruised and mentally shaken - but alive!

I called the Ford Customer relations department and told them everything I just mentioned here -

Is there anything else I can do to try to get these car companies to disable their power seats when the car is not turned on?


Thank you,
Tammy

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

Does your husband wear a tie, long sleeves, or jewelry when he operates a table saw?

Same concept.

There are levers, switches, and buttons in cars, and when your husband was entering the car in a fashion that was NOT meant, and in combination with his loose clothing, doing so was a recipe for disaster.

It's called "common sense".

IAAL

[TLA]

Excuse me sir?

This could have happened to anyone wearing any type of clothing!

A child could be crushed by reaching in to get something that may have fallen and have an article of their clothing stuck on this lever.

My point was that this device should not be activated when the car is turned off and is there anything that I could do to try to make the auto industry aware of this design flaw. I'm not looking to cause any damage to the auto industry - I'm trying to save lives or any other injuries!

So I take it you have never had to reach under your car seat to find something or vacuum?

Gosh IAAL - you seemed a bit harsh with your hasty judgement.

[DainBramaged64]

So the auto industry does what you want and disables the device.
You sit closer to the seat then your husband and exit the vehicle. Later he tries to enter the vehicle and finds the seat to far forward, so by your logic he has to reach in and turn the car "ON". Now suppose you have a manual transmission and failed to engage the parking brake and left the car in gear. He accidently starts the car and it proceeds to move through your garage wall and into your house dragging your husband along, because he's half in the vehicle. You see were I'm going with this? It's designed that way. A device is only as safe as the person using it.

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

[quote]Originally posted by TLA
[b]


Excuse me sir?

MY RESPONSE: No need to be so formal. But, if you insist, I prefer "Your Honor" or "Your Highness".



This could have happened to anyone wearing any type of clothing!

MY RESPONSE: Yes, just like a table saw. That's why you need common sense about your person and surroundings. He knew that switch operated the seats! He just forgot - - and that's all it takes to cause an accident.



A child could be crushed by reaching in to get something that may have fallen and have an article of their clothing stuck on this lever.

MY RESPONSE: First of all, what's a "child" doing in your OPEN car? Again, that's negligence on your part if that were to happen.




My point was that this device should not be activated when the car is turned off

MY RESPONSE: Oh, really? And, presumably, you're smaller than your husband. So, when he wants to get into the vehicle, how is he supposed to adjust the seats to fit him - - so he can get into the driver's seat to turn on the engine? Back to "Automotice Design and Function 101".



and is there anything that I could do to try to make the auto industry aware of this design flaw.

MY RESPONSE: It's not a design flaw. Electric seats have worked that way for years, and for the reasons stated above. Like I said, your husband knew how the seats functioned, and wore clothes that could "catch" and entered the car in a manner not intended or meant. See Table Saw analogy.




I'm not looking to cause any damage to the auto industry - I'm trying to save lives or any other injuries!

MY RESPONSE: Well, then you're on the wrong site. This is a legal advice forum, and not a "Design" class. If you have an idea, I'm sure that Ford and GM would love to hear it.



So I take it you have never had to reach under your car seat to find something or vacuum?

MY RESPONSE: Sure I have! But, I know and understand the operation of my many vehicles, and I know how to safely use my table saw, also. It's time for some "personal responsibility".



Gosh IAAL - you seemed a bit harsh with your hasty judgement.

MY RESPONSE: Why do you say that? Just because I disagree with you? I'm not here to agree with you or anybody. I tell it as I see it - - and this is the way I see your husband's situation.

I'm not about to be an apologist for my viewpoint. You wrote to get an opinion, and presumably not necessarily an agreeable opinion. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen!


IAAL

[TLA]

Thanks for sharing your perspectives. I do appreciate the feedback.

Perhaps being too close to the situation has clouded my reasoning.

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

[quote]Originally posted by TLA


Perhaps being too close to the situation has clouded my reasoning.


==================================


My response:

Gee, ya think?

IAAL

[TLA]

IAAL - you're funny...Irritatingly funny that is.

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

[quote]Originally posted by TLA


IAAL - you're funny...Irritatingly funny that is.

======================================

My response:

It's always "irritating" when a writer, like yourself, doesn't get the answer they think they want to read. However, it's my life's work to knock some sense into people by using the law, and using humor and, perhaps, some controversy to make for "good, interesting, reading" at the same time. Otherwise, reading these posts and responses would be boring.

Glad you appreciate my humor, but it's the message that counts.

IAAL

[Jeter]

I think the message is basically that your husband is a moron.

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

[quote]Originally posted by Jeter


I think the message is basically that your husband is a moron.

====================================

My response:

Basically, yes. I didn't want to say it myself, but that was the message.

And to think, no one got this on video. "America's Most Stupid Husbands" has lost a great opportunity.

IAAL

[HomeGuru]

Shucks, we'll just have to wait until the next moron comes along.

[TLA]

IAAL and Jeter have already showed up - no waiting.

[racer72]

As a former auto mechanic, the first thing in any car repair manual I have ever read says "disconnect the battery before performing any of the below operations". And it looks like my sig line is perfect in this case.

[HomeGuru]

I always wondered why they called them power seats.