Severe Seat Belt Syndrome and Legal Remedies

Many individuals overlook the seriousness of seat belt syndrome injuries and fail to take appropriate action against the at-fault motorist for their harm. The force from a seat belt restraining a vehicle occupant during a crash can leave a lasting injury pattern on a person’s body known as seat belt syndrome.

While some may see only external abrasions and bruising from a seat belt, internal bleeding and latent injuries can unknowingly cause life-threatening conditions. The steps you take after a car accident involving serious seat belt injuries are critical for protecting your health and your legal rights.

Seat Belt Syndrome Injuries

Most seat belts feature a three-point harness that rests on the occupant’s shoulder, chest, and abdomen. When a negligent driver crashes into you, areas of your body in contact with the seat belt can experience strain from the impact, similar to blunt force trauma. While these injuries are often survivable, in certain instances, the vehicle passenger or driver may be severely harmed. When the effects are delayed, seat belt syndrome injuries can cause permanent injury and sometimes death.

Handling Delayed Seat Belt Syndrome

Injuries from a seat belt after being in a car crash can develop over time, and medical complications can occur weeks later, or longer. When the other driver denies responsibility or an insurance provider’s offer is inadequate, your recovery may be compromised if you don’t exercise your legal rights.

Here are five things to keep in mind after experiencing seat belt injuries to protect your interests should you need to file a lawsuit later:

1. Seek Medical Attention and Follow Doctors’ Orders

It’s essential to seek medical attention after an accident, whether or not you suspect you’ve been injured. Scans and X-rays can show internal bleeding, organ damage, spinal injuries, and other serious abdominal issues that may not be apparent. These provide essential documentation and support your claim.

2. Document Developing Conditions

Delayed seat belt syndrome can manifest weeks after an accident, and complications can continue long after that. Documentation and medical evaluations are necessary to support your claim. Keeping a journal and taking photos of bruising or effects related to your seat belt injuries can provide valuable evidence later.

3. Preserve All Evidence

Seat belt syndrome injuries can take a long time to manifest, and documentation that didn’t seem relevant immediately after the accident can be critical later. Retain everything related to the accident and the events of that day, including receipts, doctor’s notes, photos, and other physical and digital evidence, until your case is complete.

4. Remain Patient

Though you may be experiencing financial hardships due to medical bills and missed work, we urge you to stay patient and avoid closing an accident claim too soon. Injuries are unpredictable, especially when delayed seat belt syndrome is at play. Accepting an offer too early in the process can short-change your recovery. All physical, financial, and emotional harm must be accounted for to understand the true extent of your damages.

5. Consult a Car Accident Attorney

When you suspect that seat belt syndrome injuries will require ongoing care or a more appropriate recovery than the insurance company offers, contact a car accident attorney. Legal advocates can help handle your financial recovery while you work on your physical and mental health. After a stressful accident, there is no substitute for the peace of mind you’ll experience knowing that all necessary investigations and procedures are completed correctly and thoroughly. Your attorney can also help handle communications, protecting you from insurance adjusters’ pressure tactics.

The Complexities of Lawsuits for Seat Belt Injuries

While superficial abrasions and bruises are not often grounds for legal action, many cases of seat belt syndrome may warrant a lawsuit, and multiple parties may be at fault. Identifying all responsible parties is essential, but sorting out seemingly straightforward injuries from a seat belt resulting from a car crash can be nuanced, complicated, and require professional help.

Liability depends on the circumstances of the accident, and can change based on who was involved, the extent of their involvement, and how they contributed to your harm. For example:

• If the driver was impaired, the establishment that served them may be partly responsible.
• When a faulty harness causes your seat belt injuries, an entity in the distribution chain may be responsible, as well as the at-fault driver.
• With pileups and chain-reaction accidents, the number of possible parties can seem incalculable without help.
• When a healthcare professional fails to reasonably treat your injuries, they may be liable for medical malpractice and be held accountable for contributing to your harm.

Innumerable scenarios can dramatically change whom you’ll file a lawsuit against for your seat belt syndrome injuries. The repercussions of delayed seat belt syndrome can be difficult to recover from without the right car accident attorneys. It’s essential to have advocates on your side to explore all legal avenues available, including lawsuits, and Bell Legal Group can help! If injuries sustained from a seat belt in a car crash impacted your life or a loved one, we want to hear your story and help find the right path forward.