Seat belts indeed reduce overall car accident injury and death rates. However, they can also cause injury.
Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys explains the most common seat belt injuries in car accidents.
How seat belts work
A seat belt holds a person in place when an accident occurs.
A seat belt works by latching a belt across a person’s hips and shoulders. When there is a sudden movement, the seat belt locks, holding the person in place.
The belt prevents the person from absorbing some of the force of the car accident. Instead, the person slows down as their vehicle slows down. Accident forces are spread throughout the stronger parts of the body. Ejection from the vehicle may be prevented, and a person may be protected from striking the windshield, steering wheel, or dashboard.
Overall, seat belts significantly reduce the risk of fatal injury in a car accident. However, their use can also be a cause of injury.
Understanding How Seat Belts Can Cause Injuries
A seat belt works by restraining the person wearing it. If the restraint is too much, or if force is applied at the wrong angles, injury may occur.
There are several reasons that seat belt injury may occur.
Strong forces
The force applied by a seat belt may be sufficient to cause bruising and other injury, even when used correctly.
Seat belt failure
A seat belt with faulty latching or one that twists improperly may apply forces at improper angles.
Damaged belt
A seat belt that is damaged may function improperly.
Poor seat belt design
The design of a seat belt may make injury more likely to occur.
Incorrect passenger size or weight
A passenger may not be the right size or weight for the seat belt to work properly.
Incorrect use
Slouching, or trying to fit two people into a single seat belt, may result in malfunction.
Common Types of Seat Belt Injuries in Car Accidents
Cuts and bruises
Pressure on the body from the seat belt may cause cuts and bruises. Bruising may be significant and often follows a linear path that matches the shape of the seat belt and where it held the body in place. The most common places for cuts and bruising from a seat belt are the abdomen, shoulders, and chest.
Fractures
The sudden application of force from the seat belt can cause a spinal fracture, called a chance fracture. The spine flexes too much and cracks. Paralysis may occur.
Organ damage
A seat belt can crush internal organs. The stomach, intestines, bladder, spleen, and liver may sustain trauma. Symptoms may include pain, dizziness, aching muscles, changes in excretory function, and weakness. Organ damage may not immediately show symptoms, so a victim should seek prompt medical attention if there is any possibility of injury.
Chest trauma
Chest trauma can encompass multiple types of injury, including pulmonary contusion, broken bones, and organ damage. A victim may experience multiple symptoms, including dangerous failure or impairment of bodily function.
Neck injury
Sudden seat belt restraint may cause whipping and violent movement that the neck muscles cannot withstand. Whiplash may occur when neck muscles are strained in an accident.
Concussion
Even though the seat belt usually doesn’t directly touch the head, a seat belt may cause a concussion. When the seat belt restrains the person, their head may still be thrown forward.
This sudden shaking can disrupt brain function in the form of a concussion.
Torn muscles
Muscles and tendons can tear from sudden impact, as well as from the forces that are applied throughout the body from a car accident seat belt injury.
Internal Injuries and Organ Damage from Seat Belts
When an accident occurs, a person should be evaluated for seat belt injury. Injuries may be internal. These injuries may be some of the most significant that can occur from a car accident and may be life-threatening.
A person’s airway should be assessed first. They should be evaluated for shock and stable breathing. X-rays and scans can evaluate blunt force trauma. Surgery may be required for lacerations, and other urgent interventions may be necessary.
Symptoms of Seat Belt Injuries To Watch for After a Crash
Symptoms of seat belt injury may include the following:
- Trouble breathing
- Shock, pale, or clammy skin
- Increased heart rate, changes in blood pressure or pulse
- Weakness, paralysis
- Nausea, vomiting
- Concussion, loss of consciousness, confusion
- Bruising, discoloration
- Changes in bowel and bladder function
- Dizziness
- Cramps
- Bloating
- Fever
- Vision changes
- Thirst
Watch for these symptoms after a crash, and seek medical attention even if the collision seems relatively minor.
Legal Recourse for Severe Seat Belt Injuries
A person who suffers severe seat belt injuries may have the right to financial compensation.
First, seat belt injuries may be included in a claim against the party responsible for the accident.
Because seat belts are required by most state laws and encouraged in all circumstances, it’s to be expected that a seat belt may cause injury in the event of a crash. The person responsible for the accident is responsible for damages, which may include seat belt injury.
In addition, a seat belt manufacturer may be liable for problems caused by the seat belt. If a seat belt malfunctions or if it has a poor design, the parties responsible may have liability.
A lawyer can help you investigate parties who may be responsible for common seat belt injuries in car accidents.
The Role of Seat Belt Defects in Injury Claims
Seat belt defects have been an issue in numerous lawsuits and recalls in the United States. A vehicle manufacturer or automotive supplier may be liable. Manufacturers have a legal duty to design safe products and must provide sufficient instructions for safe use.
To prove a seat belt defect injury claim, the victim must show that the seat belt was defective. A case will likely involve testing, experts, and demonstrations.
Contact an Experienced Gastonia Car Accident Lawyer
If you have experienced a seat belt injury from a car accident, or if you have other injuries, contact an experienced Gastonia car accident lawyer.
Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys represents people hurt in car accidents in Gastonia and the surrounding areas. Contact us to discuss common seat belt injuries and your case.
