I posted the link to that lawsuit, and I did so only to provoke thought, as
it apparently did. It's worth recalling that VW won the lawsuit, even on
appeal, probably because the evidence against the company was so flimsy.

The question you're asking is really one of legal principle and has been
batted back and forth at least since the days Thomas Edison had his life
ruined by innumerable lawsuits, mostly of the patent infringement variety,
but many involving product liability as well. That was in the 1880's...

It raises further questions about individual responsibility and about the
effects of unrestrained capitalism on the individual.

McDonalds, et al, kill more people each year than Phillip Morris, which in
turn kills more than all the automakers combined. We die from arterial and
coronary disease, not car accidents. Should the courts hear wrongful death
suits against Mc Donalds? You can hear the libertarians howling, "You had
the choice to eat that burger!" while the far leftists cry, "Social and
economic conditions made it impossible for him to do otherwise!"

My point was just that those seat belts, with one bolt holding them to the
floor, seem a bit flimsy.

But hey, it's my choice to put them on!

And to stay out of Mc Donalds.

All best,

Geza