How Seatbelts Can Injure You
While seatbelts are designed to protect occupants during motor vehicle accidents, they can potentially cause some injuries in severe collisions. During a vehicle collision, Newton's First Law of Motion comes into play: your body wants to continue moving in the same direction and speed as before the crash.
When the vehicle suddenly stops or decelerates, the seatbelt restrains your body from continuing forward, distributing the force across the strong parts of your body (mainly your chest, pelvis, and shoulder). However, this necessary restraint can cause injuries like bruising, abrasions, or, in severe cases, fractures and internal injuries.
Types of Seatbelt-Related Injuries
Some potential seatbelt-related injuries include:
- Bruising or abrasions: The force of impact can cause the seatbelt to press against the body, resulting in bruises or scrapes across the chest, shoulder, or lap.
- Chest injuries: In high-impact crashes, the chest can be compressed by the shoulder strap, potentially leading to rib fractures or bruising.
- Abdominal injuries: The lap belt can cause abdominal trauma in severe accidents, particularly if worn too high on the waist.
- Neck and shoulder injuries: Whiplash-like injuries can occur due to the sudden deceleration, even with proper seatbelt use.
- Seatbelt syndrome: This rare condition involves internal abdominal injuries and spinal fractures in very severe crashes.
The risk-benefit analysis overwhelmingly favors seatbelt use in all circumstances. To minimize the risk of seatbelt-related injuries:
- Wear the seatbelt properly (shoulder strap across the chest, lap belt low on the hips)
- Ensure the seatbelt is not twisted
- Adjust the seat and headrest properly
Seatbelt Use Is Still Important
Despite the potential for injuries, seatbelt use remains a critical safety measure in motor vehicles. The primary function of a seatbelt is to prevent more severe injuries or fatalities that could occur in the absence of restraint. Consider the following points:
- Preventing ejection: Seatbelts significantly reduce the risk of being thrown from the vehicle during a collision, which is often fatal.
- Distributing impact forces: By spreading the force of a crash over a larger area of the body, seatbelts reduce the concentration of impact on vulnerable areas.
- Slowing body movement: Seatbelts decelerate the body more gradually during a sudden stop, reducing the severity of potential injuries.
- Protecting vital organs: By restraining the upper body, seatbelts help protect vital organs from impact with the steering wheel, dashboard, or other parts of the vehicle interior.
Legal Implications: Comparative Negligence & Injury Severity
In personal injury claims following a motor vehicle accident, seatbelt use plays a significant role as it relates to compensation and injury severity. Insurance companies and courts often consider whether seatbelt use (or lack thereof) affected the severity of injuries. If it can be demonstrated that injuries would have been less severe had the claimant been wearing a seatbelt, this could impact the compensation amount.
Colorado courts apply the principle of comparative negligence in determining compensation for injuries. If an injured party was not wearing a seatbelt, this could be considered a form of negligence. Consequently, the compensation may be reduced proportionally to the degree the lack of seatbelt use contributed to the injuries.
Seatbelt use is also often viewed as a basic duty of care that drivers and passengers owe to themselves. Failure to uphold this duty can be seen as a breach of personal responsibility.
Injured in an Accident? Reach Out Today!
The use of seatbelts remains a crucial aspect of vehicle safety, despite the potential for minor injuries in severe collisions. From both a safety and legal standpoint, the benefits of seatbelt use far outweigh the risks.
If you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, Law Office of Joseph A. Lazzara, P.C. offers compassionate, reliable counsel and can help you fight for your right to fair compensation in the following types of cases:
From calculating your damages to representing you in court or negotiations, you are in good hands.
Learn how Law Office of Joseph A. Lazzara, P.C. can help with your case by calling (720) 809-8262.