What Types of Seat Belt Injuries Result From Car Accidents?
Seat belts save thousands of lives yearly, and drivers and passengers should always wear them. However, this does not mean that people will never be injured when wearing them. They can be worn improperly, be defective, or the crash may have been too severe. Car accidents are never suspected, the seat belt being worn properly can save your life.
Seat belts hold the body in fixed positions while the vehicle moves. The energy from an impact is transmitted to the wearer’s clavicle, chest wall, and pelvis, but when worn improperly, the force can be sent to the neck and abdomen. They are designed to reduce the risk of severe injury and, in most cases, are very effective.
Minor injuries like bruising and skin abrasions can happen in accidents and usually heal. Since seat belts overlap the shoulders, those body parts are more likely to get hurt. If the lap belt is involved, the person might experience soft abdomen tissue, intestinal or abdominal wall injury, or a pelvic fracture.
The shoulder strap might cause fractured ribs, a fractured sternum, a sternum or chest injury, or torn shoulder tendons and muscles. Internal bleeding and vascular injuries can also happen. It is vital to get a medical examination after a car accident because seat belt injuries often do not appear until hours or days after a crash, known as seat belt syndrome.
How Can I Prevent a Seat Belt Injury?
Seat belts should be snug yet comfortable, so ensure they are not too loose or tight. The shoulder belt must go across the middle of the chest and should not touch the neck. The lap belt has to be secured firmly across the hips, beneath the stomach. If your vehicle has a warning signal when the seat belts are not connected, do not disengage it.
Pregnant women need to take added precautions when wearing safety belts. The shoulder and lap belts should be worn with the shoulder strap between the breasts and not under the arm. The lap belt should be attached beneath the belly and over the hips; do not place it right over the belly.
If a negligent driver caused your car accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation awarded from a personal injury lawsuit.
Alexandria Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King Work With Clients Who Have Suffered Seat Belt Injuries
Contact our Alexandria car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Duane O. King if you have been injured in a crash. Call us at 202-331-1963 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation. Located in Washington, D.C., National Harbor, MD, and Falls Church, Virginia, we serve clients in Prince George’s County, including Laurel, Beltsville, Adelphi, College Park, Greenbelt, Mitchellville, Woodmore, Greater Upper Marlboro, Springdale, Largo, Bowie, Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Suitland, Seat Pleasant, Clinton, Oxon Hill, Temple Hills, and Fort Washington.