Seat belts are credited with saving hundreds of thousands of lives since their inclusion in standard motor vehicle design. Yet, in some cases, injuries are caused by the impact between a person’s body and a safety restraint belt. In California, you can recover financial compensation for seat belt injuries as part of your car accident claim.
What Is Seat Belt Syndrome?
California law requires all vehicle occupants who are 16 and older to wear seat belts. Drivers must also wear seat belts, regardless of age. Passengers under the age of eight must use car seats or booster seats.
While seat belts generally protect victims from injury, they can also cause harm. Injuries that are caused by the force of impact with a seat belt are categorized as “seat belt syndrome.” This term describes a pattern of injuries that arise from contact between the body and the shoulder and/or lap belt in an automobile accident.
Common Types of Seat Belt Injuries After a Car Accident
Wearing a seat belt is statistically much safer than not wearing one. In a single year, seat belt use saved an estimated 14,955 lives, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, there are also cases where car accident victims suffer injuries caused by their seat belts.
Common types of seat belt injuries include:
- Shoulder injuries
- Chest injuries
- Sternum (collarbone) injuries
- Broken ribs
- Lung injuries and punctures
- Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
- Abdominal injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Ruptured or damaged organs
- Bruising
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Skin abrasions
- Cuts or lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Vertebrae fractures
Seat belt injuries can range from mild to severe depending on the situation. Vulnerable people such as children, the elderly and pregnant women are more likely to suffer serious harm from seat belts.
Seat Belt Injuries After a Car Accident
Signs of a Seat Belt Injury
The signs of a seat belt injury following a car crash may include pain, redness, swelling, bleeding or bruising in areas of the body that came into contact with the seat belt. Most commonly, this is the sternum, chest, and lower abdomen or hips.
Signs of internal injuries such as abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting and shortness of breath can also occur. Breathing or respiratory difficulties, as well as sharp chest pain, can point to a deeper injury involving the ribs and/or lungs. Any potential seat belt injury deserves prompt medical attention.
How to Get Fair Compensation for Seat Belt Injuries After a Car Accident in California
To recover a fair amount in financial compensation for your seat belt injuries, you will need to secure proof of your injuries and evidence that they were caused by the automobile accident. You will then need to submit this evidence to the insurance company of the at-fault party.
Start by getting medical care for your injuries as soon as possible after the crash. Prompt medical attention can help you achieve a recovery both physically and financially. It can show an insurance company that you suffered an injury because of the impact with the safety restraint harness.
Even with ample evidence, a car insurance company may try to get out of paying you by minimizing or rejecting your claim. This is why it is recommended to hire a personal injury lawyer during the claims process. A Riverside car accident lawyer can handle negotiations for you to achieve a fair seat belt injury case outcome.