Seatbelts unequivocally save lives. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seatbelts saved around 374,276 lives between 1975 and 2017. About half of all traffic-related fatalities in 2022 occurred to those not wearing seatbelts. Wearing a seatbelt is the wisest choice and the only legal option on the road in almost all states; however, the seatbelt itself may cause injuries in a crash even when it functions optimally. When a seatbelt is defective or malfunctions in a car accident and causes serious harm, it’s important to understand the personal injury legal options in Cherry Hill available.
How Important Is Seatbelt Safety?
Wearing a seatbelt correctly is an important part of protecting yourself in an accident. For the driver and front-seat passenger, proper seatbelt use increases the chances of surviving an accident by 45%. In an SUV or van, it increases the chances of survival by 60%. A seatbelt prevents the motorist from being propelled forward and ejected from the vehicle during a crash. During a collision, a motorist’s body continues moving forward at the speed the car was traveling until it’s stopped either by the seatbelt or structures inside the vehicle. According to the Montana Department of Transportation (MDOT) Crash Force Calculator, a 120-pound person becomes a 6,600-pound force in a collision. A properly worn seatbelt equally distributes this force to the strongest parts of the body, including the bony shoulder, clavicle, ribs, and hips, helping to prevent serious injuries or death. Being properly restrained during an accident also prevents vehicle occupants from becoming dangerous projectiles inside the vehicle and injuring other occupants.
What Common Seatbelt Injuries Can Occur?
Although seatbelts save lives, the body of a motorist still endures tremendous crash force as it’s propelled forward against the belt and then snapped backward against the seat cushion. Common injuries from seat belts include the following:
- Whiplash: caused by the rapid back-and-forth motion of the head overextending the muscles and bone structures inside the neck
- Fractures of the ribs, clavicle, sternum, and hips
- Shoulder injuries
- Back injuries, including fractures of the lumbar spine
- Internal organ injuries to the intestines, stomach, bladder, bowel, spleen, and heart
- Bruises and abrasions
- Abdomen muscle strains
Car accident victims should always seek medical attention immediately after an accident and undergo a thorough evaluation. A medical professional can diagnose and treat seatbelt injuries.
What If a Defective Seatbelt Causes Injury?
Most car accident claims for compensation are made against a careless or reckless driver, but when a seatbelt malfunctions and causes injury, a defective product claim against the manufacturer can recover compensation for damages like medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Examples of seatbelt defects include the following:
- Delayed restraining: if a seatbelt does not quickly lock in place during a crash, the slack causes additional force when the victim’s body encounters the seatbelt
- Weak seatbelt: if a seatbelt isn’t made of sturdy material it may snap or break during an accident, leaving the victim vulnerable to severe injuries in the crash
- Improper stitching: some sections of a seatbelt are stitched into place and must be strong and impenetrable in an accident. If the stitching is weak or inadequate, the belt loses its integrity in a car accident, leaving the motorist vulnerable to injuries
- Defective buckle: if a seatbelt buckle malfunctions or fails to correctly secure the belt into place, the seatbelt no longer restrains the vehicle occupant during the crash
Manufacturers have direct liability for injuries caused by design flaws, manufacturing mistakes, or inadequate labeling.
How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help?
If you or a family member suffered serious seatbelt injuries in a car accident, there could be several parties liable for your Cherry Hill accident damages, including the at-fault driver, the vehicle manufacturer, the seatbelt manufacturer, and the retailer. Call the car accident lawyers at Cuneo & Leonetti today for a free evaluation of your seatbelt injury case.