NHTSA complaint: 2000 PONTIAC GRAND AM — SEAT BELTS
SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES IN A SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT (CAR VS. TELEPHONE POLE). WAS WEARING SEATBELT WHEN CONTACTED BLACK ICE, VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD AND STRUCK A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD-ON DRIVER SIDE WHICH TOTALED THE VEHICLE AND BROKE THE POLE IN HALF. UPPER TORSO STRUCK STEERING WHEEL AND HEAD STRUCK CENTER CONSOLE RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND DEEP FACIAL LACERATION/ AVULSION OVER LEFT BROW. SHOULDER RESTRAINT DID NOT ENGAGE AND NEITHER DRIVER SIDE NOR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AT ANY TIME. IT IS IN THE OPINION OF UNNAMED PROFESSIONALS THAT THE AIRBAG/ SHOULDER RESTRAINT MIGHT HAVE PREVENTED OR LIMITED/ REDUCED THE INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT. NO CITATION WAS WRITTEN FOR FAILURE TO CONTROL OR SPEEDING, NEITHER WAS THERE ANY SUSPICION OF BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A REPUTABLE DEALERSHIP AND WAS CERTIFIED THAT ALL SAFETY DEVICES WERE INTACT AND FUNCTIONAL AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. *TR
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation