While they are safety devices that can save lives and lessen the severity of car accident injuries, seat belts can also inflict serious injuries. Five of the most common seat belt injuries in car accidents include cuts and abrasions, neck and shoulder injuries, abdominal injuries, soft tissue injuries, and fractures. These injuries can require significant and costly medical care.
A car accident lawyer in Fort Lauderdale can help you prove the cause of your accident and resulting injuries. They can also help you seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering. Many local law firms will review your car accident claim at no cost or obligation and describe the steps involved in obtaining a financial recovery.
Get All the Medical Care Your Seat Belt Injuries Require
“Seat belt syndrome” is a catchall phrase that describes the injuries most commonly related to the forceful restraint of a seat belt in a car accident. The types of seatbelt injuries you sustain and their severity will depend on the accident’s impact and the seat belt’s functionality.
Seek immediate medical care and track your treatments and their costs. Failure to do so could cause your injuries to worsen and negatively impact your car accident claim.
Cuts and Abrasions Are Common Injuries Caused by Seatbelts
The sudden tightening of your seatbelt in a crash can cause deep cuts, lacerations, and abrasions across your torso. Do not overlook these injuries—a medical professional should treat them to avoid worsening or potential infection.
Seatbelts Can Cause Serious Neck and Shoulder Injuries
The pressure of a shoulder belt securing you in place can lead to neck and shoulder injuries like a torn rotator cuff, neck sprain, whiplash, or a dislocated shoulder. These injuries can cause significant bruising and leave welts and other scars that require long healing periods.
Abdominal Injuries That Seat Belts Can Cause
The lap belt that wraps across your abdomen can cause bruising or abdominal pain in a crash. Additional injuries can include nerve damage or internal organ damage.
Seat Belts Can Cause Significant Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries caused by a seatbelt in a motor vehicle accident can include muscle strains, torn tendons, and ligament damage. These injuries can cause lingering pain, swelling, and irritation. Recovery from soft tissue injuries can be long and impair your physical ability and range of motion.
Seatbelts and Buckles Can Cause Dangerous Fractures
A defective seat belt can malfunction in an accident and cause serious injuries. The seat belt or buckle snapping apart can cause clavicle, nose, or rib fractures or dental damage.
If a car or seatbelt defect caused your injuries, an auto accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation from the manufacturer.
Compensation for Your Seat Belt Injuries and Other Car Accident Injuries
Car accident injuries can lead to costly and extensive treatment. Thankfully, you have legal options for seeking compensation for seatbelt injuries. Your lawyer can demand that the party whose negligence caused your accident cover all resulting medical bills, including:
- Emergency care
- Hospital stays
- Rehab and therapy
- Surgical procedures
- Medications
Additional economic damages you may recover include:
- Past, present, and future lost wages
- Loss of the ability to earn in the future
- Property damage, destruction, or diminished value
Non-Economic Damages You May Recover in a Car Accident Claim
Seat belt injuries can also result in intangible damages. These non-economic damages can include compensation for:
- Disabling and disfiguring injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Mental anguish
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A Lawyer Can Handle Your Claim and Negotiate a Seat Belt Injury Settlement
Obtaining compensation for a car accident means proving the responsible party’s negligence and financial liability. When a personal injury lawyer in Fort Lauderdale represents you, they can:
- Communicate on your behalf
- Manage case-related paperwork
- Provide ongoing case updates
- Negotiate for a favorable settlement
Since car accident injury claims can be complicated, hiring a lawyer can allow you to focus on getting better without losing valuable time to prepare and file your insurance claim or lawsuit.
File Your Lawsuit for Seat Belt Injuries Within the Allotted Time
You generally have two years to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11. If you misinterpret the filing deadline or miss it for any other reason, you could inadvertently relinquish your right to take legal action.
If your motor vehicle collision involved a government vehicle, you could have as little as six months from the accident date to present your injury claim in writing, according to Florida Statutes § 768.28(6)(a)(1). A car accident lawyer can accurately interpret the applicable statute of limitations and file your lawsuit on time.
Call (954) 633-8270 to Contact our Car Accident Consultation Team Now
If you or someone you love suffered severe seatbelt-related injuries in a recent car accident, our personal injury law firm can help you seek compensation. We will take on the insurance company and negotiate the best financial settlement on your behalf.
Find out how hard we will fight for you if you suffered seat belt injuries in a car accident. Contact our Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato consultation team today for more information.
