Seatbelt injuries can happen when crash force drives the belt into your chest, abdomen, shoulder, neck, or hips. If the seat belt caused a separate injury, failed to hold you in place, or did not work as intended, your claim may involve more than the driver who caused the crash.
Contact a car accident attorney in Chicago today to pursue compensation for your injuries.
Reach out to the firm online for a free consultation.
How Seatbelts Can Cause Injuries in a Crash
Seat belts save lives, but they can also leave serious injuries, such as :
- Chest bruising or rib fractures.
- Neck, shoulder, or collarbone injuries.
- Lower back or spinal injuries.
- Hip or pelvic injuries.
- Nerve pain, numbness, or limited movement.
- Internal bleeding or delayed pain after the crash.
Some injuries appear immediately. Others develop over hours or days as swelling, bruising, abdominal pain, headaches, or mobility problems become more noticeable.
When is the Seat Belt System Part of the Problem?
A seat belt injury claim may involve the way the restraint performed during the crash. The issue is not only whether you wore a seat belt, but whether it locked, released, tightened, or positioned your body correctly. Potential problems may include:
- A buckle that released during impact.
- A belt that failed to lock.
- A retractor that did not hold tension.
- A shoulder belt that cut into the neck or chest.
- A lap belt that rode too high across the abdomen.
- A defective anchor, latch, or pretensioner.
- Prior repair work that affected the restraint system.
- A recall or known safety issue involving the seat belt.
If the restraint system failed, the vehicle itself may become important evidence. The seat belt, buckle, anchor points, pretensioner, crash data, repair history, and recall records can help show whether the system worked properly.
Who Can Be Responsible for Seatbelt Injuries?
Several parties may be responsible depending on what caused the crash and how the seat belt injury occurred:
- The at-fault driver if their negligence caused the collision.
- A vehicle manufacturer if a defect in the restraint system contributed to the injury.
- A parts manufacturer if the buckle, retractor, latch, or pretensioner failed.
- A dealership or repair facility if improper work affected the seat belt system.
- A prior owner or seller if unsafe modifications or unrepaired recall issues played a role.
An insurance company may try to treat the injury as a normal result of the crash. However, a closer investigation can show whether the seat belt caused harm beyond what the collision itself would have caused.
How a Lawyer Can Help With a Seatbelt Injury Claim
A serious seat belt injury can make it difficult to gather evidence and deal with an insurance claim while you are in pain, receiving treatment, and missing work. A Chicago personal injury attorney has the resources to preserve the vehicle, inspect the restraint system, request repair and recall records, work with experts, and determine whether the injury involved a defect or improper repair.
They can also handle the insurance process, respond to arguments that minimize the injury, organize medical proof, document financial losses, and fight for the compensation you deserve through settlement negotiations or litigation.
Speak to a Lawyer Today
Mark L. Karno & Associates, LLC can review the crash, investigate whether the restraint system played a role, and explain the compensation that may be available.
Contact us online or by phone at (312) 701-0090 for a free consultation.