According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seatbelts have saved 375,000 lives between 1975 and 2017. That adds up to more than the entire population of Cleveland, Ohio. In 2017 alone, seatbelts saved nearly 15,000 lives. Nevertheless, seatbelts themselves frequently injure people. If you have been involved in a car accident and suffered an injury related to a seatbelt, call the experienced personal injury attorneys at Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer at (802) 457-4848 to learn more about your legal and financial rights.
List of Seatbelt Injuries
Below is a list of common seatbelt injuries. These injuries are more likely to occur in severe accidents, particularly if the seatbelt is worn improperly.
Abdominal Injuries
Common seatbelt-generated abdominal injuries include:
- Bowel perforation (a potentially life-threatening condition);
- Internal organ damage (intestines, liver, and spleen);
- Hernias; and
- Abdominal bruising.
Chest Injuries
Common chest injuries include:
- Bruised or fractured ribs
- Sternum fractures
- Lung bruising
- Cardiac contusions (blunt trauma to the heart)
Head and Facial Injuries
Improperly fitted seatbelts often cause them to fail, resulting in head and facial injuries. The most common of these injuries include Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and facial bruising, most likely if the victim’s head hits the steering wheel or the dashboard. Such an injury is caused not by the seatbelt itself, but by improper use of a seatbelt.
Neck and Spine Injuries
The most common neck and spine injuries include:
- Whiplash (caused by the jerking of the neck while the seatbelt restrains the rest of the body);
- Cervical spine injuries such as damage to the vertebrae; and
- Thoracic spine fractures
Pelvic Injuries
The most common injuries affecting the pelvic area are hip fractures and hip dislocations caused by the lap belt pressing on the pelvis during a collision.
Shoulder Injuries
Common shoulder injuries include:
- Collarbone fractures; and
- Dislocation of the shoulder caused by the pressure of the shoulder strap;
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are common seatbelt injuries. Soft tissue injuries include:
- Bruising along the path of the seatbelt’s contact with the chest, abdomen, and shoulder; and
- Lacerations from friction between the belt and the skin.
Circumstances That Increase the Likelihood of a Seatbelt Injury
Certain circumstances can increase the likelihood of seatbelt-related injuries. Here are a few of them:
- In severe accidents, a seatbelt might trap the victim inside the vehicle in the face of oncoming traffic.
- Rollover crashes and multiple-impact accidents can generate severe seatbelt bruising.
- Victims with osteoporosis or a history of abdominal surgery are more vulnerable to injury arising from the pressure of a seatbelt during an accident.
- Once in a great while, a design or manufacturing defect might cause seatbelt failure. For example, the seatbelt might not lock during an accident, resulting in the victim sliding under the belt.
- High-speed accidents can cause broken ribs, sternum injuries, liver injuries, and spleen injuries attributable to contact with the seatbelt.
It is important to note that many other circumstances can cause seatbelt injuries.
The ‘Seatbelt Defense’ in Florida, Vermont, and New Hampshire
In a car accident lawsuit, the defendant might assert the ‘seatbelt defense.’ The defendant might claim, for example, that the victim’s improper adjustment of seatbelt height caused neck injuries that the defendant should not bear liability for. In personal injury law, failure to do all you can to minimize your damages in the event of an accident is called ‘failure to mitigate damages.’
If the court agrees, it will refuse to award the victim that portion of their damages they could have avoided through proper seatbelt use. The seatbelt defense is common in Florida and Vermont. Defendants frequently attempt to use it as a way of reducing the amount of their liability. The personal injury lawyers at Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer are available to help if you are facing a ‘seat belt defense’ scenario.
Bad Habits That Result in Seatbelt Injuries
Avoid the following bad habits to enhance seatbelt safety and minimize your chances of suffering a seatbelt injury.
- Wearing the lap belt across the stomach instead of the hips. This can cause abdominal injuries. Fasten the lap belt across the hips and the shoulder belt across the chest.
- Neglecting to use child seats or booster seats for children and unusually short adults. Improperly fitted seatbelts can cause serious injuries.
- Improper use of a seatbelt by pregnant women. Position the lap belt below the belly. Make sure the shoulder belt is snug across the chest and off the side of the stomach. Failure to observe this safety tip could endanger both mother and child.
- Reclining the seat while the vehicle is in motion. A reclined seat can increase the risk of spinal or abdominal injuries.
- Wearing loose or twisted seatbelts. This can increase the likelihood of seatbelt failure.
- Failing to maintain your seatbelt system to ensure it functions properly. Check the seatbelts before you buy a used car.
- Failing to replace seatbelts if necessary after an accident. Remember that an accident can damage your seatbelt system.
- Improper adjustment of the seatbelt height to fit properly across the shoulder. This error can cause serious neck injuries.
Observing these safety tips cannot guarantee you will not suffer a seatbelt injury, but they may help you have a less serious injury.
Consider Visiting With an Experienced Attorney After a Seatbelt Injury
You have the right to seek justice and compensation under the law if you suffered any injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence or recklessness. If you received any injuries as a result of your seatbelt in a traffic accident, consider visiting with the compassionate and experienced attorneys at Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer. The Vermont, New Hampshire, and Florida personal injury attorneys at Shillen Mackall Seldon & Spicer have been fighting for the rights of accident victims like you since 1980. Call us at (802) 457-4848 to schedule a free consultation.