A lawsuit filed in New Jersey alleges that the rear-seat restraint system in a 2017 Honda Civic contributed to the fatal injuries suffered by 18-year-old Jacob L. Swann in a May 27, 2025, crash.

The complaint was recently filed in the Superior Court of Burlington County. It says Swann was traveling as a rear-seat passenger in the Civic and was wearing a three-point seat belt when the vehicle was involved in a serious collision.

According to a police report cited in the lawsuit, the Civic was driven by teenager Lukas J. Corcoran on N. Rt. 31 when it crossed the center line and collided head-on with a northbound vehicle. Corcoran and a front-seat passenger suffered serious injuries, while Swann died.

Lawsuit challenges the Civic’s rear restraint system

The suit claims the Civic was defectively designed and was not reasonably safe or suitable for its intended use. Swann’s estate alleges that the rear-seat restraint system was defective in both design and workmanship and was not sufficiently crashworthy.

Attorneys for the estate claim the system exposed Swann to excessive, concentrated deceleration forces in vulnerable areas of his body, resulting in internal injuries that proved fatal. The complaint also alleges that the seat belt experienced excessive web spool-out during the crash.

In addition, the lawsuit argues that the rear seat lacked an adequate anti-submarining ramp configuration. The feature, as described in the complaint, relates to the seat’s ability to help prevent an occupant from sliding beneath the lap belt during a collision.

The plaintiffs allege that Honda knew, or should have known, that the Civic’s design created an unreasonable risk of physical harm. The complaint names Honda Motor Company, American Honda, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, and Honda Canada as defendants.

2017 Civic had top safety ratings

The allegations concern a vehicle that received strong safety ratings for the 2017 model year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded five-star overall safety ratings to the Civic coupe, sedan, and hatchback. All three body styles were also recognized as 2017 Top Safety Picks by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Those ratings do not resolve the claims in the lawsuit, which will address the alleged performance and design of the specific rear restraint system involved in the crash.

Driver also named as defendant

Corcoran is also named in the complaint. The plaintiffs allege that the crash resulted from his careless operation of the Civic and are seeking compensatory damages under New Jersey’s Survival Act and Wrongful Death Act.

The estate is requesting a jury trial and seeking compensatory and punitive damages, interest, attorneys’ fees, and any other relief the court considers appropriate. The allegations remain claims in litigation, and the lawsuit does not establish liability.