What are My Options After a Seat Belt Injury?

Different Designs of Seat Belts

Since their invention, there have been numerous changes and developments to seat belts. There are several types of seat belts design, which all work in a slightly different manner. These types of seat belts include:

• 4, 5, & 6 Point Harness
• Belt in Seat
• Lap
• Sash
• 3 Point

Each of these seat belts has the potential to be defective in nature. Some of the various defects that riders experience with seat belts include seat belts that become unbuckled due the force of an accident, seat belts that seem to be connected but are not, seat belts that do not fit tightly enough against a rider, and seat belts with fabric that is torn and fails to restrain a rider when an accident occurs.

How Seat Belt Accidents Occur

A person who is traveling in a car is traveling at the same speed as his or her vehicle. If a motor vehicle stops suddenly, a person’s body will travel a bit further until forces slow down the momentum of that person’s body. Seatbelts are helpful because they serve to slow down the momentum with which a person’s body is moving. Sometimes, however, the force of seat belts in slowing the momentum of a person’s body can seriously injure a person’s body.

The Types of Injuries Caused Due to Seat Belt Accidents

There are several common types of injuries that most often occur due to seat belt accidents. Some of these injuries include the following:

• Abrasion and lacerations caused by the roughness of the seat belt.
• Blood in a person’s stool or urine due to compression of organs.
• Bruised or fractured ribs due to the force of the seat belt.
• Difficulties in breathing due to damage to a person’s heart or lungs.
• Pain in the organs located between a person’s hips and ribs.
• Torn tendons and muscle fibers in a person’s shoulder.
• Whiplash and other types of spinal cord injuries.

Steps to Prevent Injuries Caused by Seat Belts

A person can greatly decrease the risk of being seriously injured by a seatbelt by using it in the correct manner. Some of the elements that comprise successful seat belt use include the following:

• Making sure that the shoulder strap is placed around the center of a person’s chest.
• Not placing a shoulder strap behind a person’s body.
• Not tightening a seatbelt too much or leaving the restraint too loose.
• Placing a lap belt securely across a person’s hips by the waist area.

How to Proceed After a Seat Belt Injury

Statistics show that seat belts save lives. In fact, in 2014, seat belts are reported to have saved approximately 13,000 lives. Having your body restrained during high-speed collisions greatly reduces the risk that you will end up injured or even killed if an accident occurs. Even though seat belts can save a person from serious injuries, wearing a seat belt does not guarantee that a person will be able to walk away without injuries after an accident. Many injuries incurred in motor vehicle accidents are actually caused by the use of a seat belt. Here’s what you need to know if you are involved in a seat belt injury.

Seat Belts Save Lives

When they work as intended, seat belts save lives. Some individuals believe that belts are not necessary, but they have been proven to save lives. Some of the ways in which seat belts are known to prevent injuries include keeping passengers from being ejected from vehicles, spreading forces associated with a crash over a wider area of a person’s body, shifting crash forces to the strongest area of a person’s body, allowing a person’s body to slow down gradually, and protecting both a person’s head and spinal cord.

Defective Product Claims

Sometimes, seat belt injuries are a result of design or manufacturing defects. When defects exist in seat belts, the restraint system might not operate as expected, which could lead to serious injuries. Some of the most common defects include safety belts with inadequate latches or tension detachers.

Contributory Negligence Issues

Although seat belts can be the cause of certain injuries during car accidents, some people who are responsible for accidents might attempt to use the possibly harmful nature of seatbelts to their advantage. While a responsible party might argue that the accident victim was wearing a seatbelt improperly, which resulted in his or her injuries, it is often a much stronger argument that not wearing any seat belt would have ultimately caused more severe injuries.

Speak with an Experienced Accident Attorney

After the shock of having being involved in an auto accident, some victims are forced to face other injuries that result. If you or a loved one has been harmed in an accident, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced accident attorney. Contact Ferrara & Gable today to discuss how we can help you pursue the compensation that you deserve. Request a free case evaluation today.