Seatbelts save lives, but they can also do harm. For example, in a severe collision, seat belts prevent passengers from getting ejected from the car. On the other hand, seat belt restraints on passengers can cause injuries like bruising or even broken bones.
Seat Belt injuries are particularly unpleasant because they tend to affect the upper body ( neck, shoulders, and ribs). Rib and collarbone injuries are excruciatingly painful and hard to treat. That’s because the only real way to treat them is with time. You can’t put a cast on a broken rib or collarbone. Furthermore, the unyielding seatbelt grasp can cause internal injuries and organ damage, which is particularly scary because they don’t have visible symptoms.
The type and severity of the injury will depend on where the victims are wearing the seatbelt. For example, was it a lap belt or a shoulder belt? In addition, how fast the car went when the collision occurred will also affect injury outcomes.
If you sustained seat belt injuries in a Tampa car accident, you might need to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your losses. No matter the circumstances of your seatbelt injury, we will take the time to understand your case details and use our expertise to help you get compensation. Speak with a Tampa Seatbelt Injury Attorney today to discuss your options.
Are Seatbelts Really Dangerous?
Ultimately, seatbelts save lives, and most drivers know the term “click it or ticket.” But, while they are necessary to avoid fatalities, there’s a downside. In a severe collision, they can inflict substantial harm to passengers.
Seat belts are designed to withstand the force of a human body pushing against them. The special thick material (known as webbing) is the same material used for parachute straps and safety harnesses. Additionally, seatbelts have a spool that allows them to retract and expand. These spools also have a locking mechanism to prevent the seat belt from coming loose during a collision.
Being constricted in the seat belt in a crash can cause serious injuries. Seatbelts are constructed to reduce the impact of the collision. The idea is to restrain occupants to their seats. However, when the belt tightens during a violent crash, it can cause compression injuries. If you suffer from seat belt injuries, you should seek legal advice from a Tampa Seatbelt Injury Attorney. They’ll get to work on your case so you can rest and recover.
Common Seat Belt Injuries in Tampa
Seat Belts help absorb the kinetic energy released from the crash impact. Unfortunately, while it does save lives, it also causes skeletal injuries, soft tissue damage, and visceral injuries.
Lap seat belts often cause more internal injuries because they place immense pressure on the organs in that area. Likewise, cross-body seatbelts often cause upper-body injuries.
Common seat belt injuries include:
- Aneurysms
- Abrasions
- Burst appendix
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Cracked clavicle and sternum
- Injured arteries
- Friction burns
- Damaged organs
- Fractured or broken ribs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Whiplash
- Ruptured spleen
These injuries are unpleasant and can take time to heal. In the worst cases, you might suffer from life-long consequences. To seek the full extent of financial recovery for your injuries, you need help from a Tampa Seatbelt Injury Attorney.
What Type of Accidents Lead To Seat Belt Injuries?
Seat Belt injuries can result from any motor vehicle collision. A high-speed accident might inflict more severe seat belt injuries. Common accidents where seat belt injuries occur are:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone collisions or side-impact collisions
- Truck accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Delivery truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Limousine accidents
- Lyft car accidents
- Amazon delivery truck accidents
No matter what type of accident caused your seatbelt injury, a Tampa Seatbelt Injury Attorney can help you recover compensation for your medical expenses. In addition, if you require ongoing medical services for your injuries, you can also seek reimbursement for future medical bills.
Seatbelt Injuries Can Cause Life-Long Consequences
Some car accidents are more severe than others. For example, a head-on collision is more dangerous than a fender bender because both cars are accelerating toward each other. This makes the crash impact substantially higher and potentially fatal for all parties.
Extreme car crashes like rollovers and head-on collisions will likely result in more serious injuries that often cause long-term or permanent damage. These injuries can cause life-changing damages:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Bowel perforation
- Paraplegia
- Quadriplegia
- Any other type of paralysis
- Death of a loved one
If you sustained catastrophic injuries that led to long-term consequences, your Tampa Seatbelt Injury Attorney could negotiate a higher settlement for you. Or, if you lost a loved one due to seatbelt injuries, you might be eligible to file a Tampa wrongful death claim.
What if I Was Injured By a Defective Seatbelt in Tampa?
Sometimes occupants can sustain injuries due to a seat belt malfunction or defect. You might have grounds for a Tampa product liability claim in that case. The best way to know is to consult a Tampa Seatbelt Injury Attorney who can review your case details and advise accordingly.
Two possible issues could give rise to a product liability seatbelt claim: injuries due to an insufficient seatbelt or injuries due to a defective seatbelt. An insufficient seat belt means the seatbelt could not provide adequate protection in the collision. For example, a lap belt might be considered insufficient because it doesn’t harness the upper body. In that case, you might be able to hold the manufacturer accountable.
The other scenario is if your injuries resulted from a defective seat belt. This would be a case where the seatbelt did not serve as intended and resulted in your injuries. If a seatbelt did not properly restrain you, that’s a defective seat belt. In that case, you could hold the manufacturer or designer accountable for the defective product.
Speak with an experienced Tampa Seatbelt Injury Attorney who can thoroughly investigate your case. They will ensure you identify and pursue all label parties for your seatbelt injuries.
Should I Hire a Tampa Seatbelt Injury Attorney?
A Tampa Seatbelt Injury Attorney can be highly advantageous while trying to heal and figure out legal processes. But handling a legal battle is probably the last thing on your mind when you’re in pain, discomfort, and stressed out from the aftermath of a car accident.
We expect seat belts to keep us safe. But when they inflict injuries, we may feel shocked and upset. In addition to the physical pain and suffering, you now have a financial strain, lost income, and might feel mental anguish. The good news is that you don’t have to face this challenging situation alone.
If you were diagnosed with seat belt injuries, it’s time to find a Tampa Seatbelt Injury Attorney who can fight for you. An attorney will help you recover all damages you are entitled to, such as:
- Lost income
- Current and future medical expenses
- Property damages
- Emotional turmoil
- Potential lost future income
- Diminished quality of life
- Wrongful death
Contact a Tampa Seatbelt Injury Attorney Today
Car accidents inflict physical, psychological, and financial hardships. You can seek damage recovery if you sustained injuries due to someone else’s negligence. It can feel especially devastating if you were injured by something that was supposed to keep you safe. With a Tampa Seatbelt Injury Attorney on your side, you can focus on healing while we work to get you financial justice.
Call us today for a free initial consultation.
