Anytime you get into your car, you automatically click your seatbelt. For most people, it’s just like turning on the ignition. You probably never considered the possibility that if you were in an accident, your seatbelt could actually cause some of your injuries.
If you suffered a seatbelt injury, our Los Angeles seatbelt injury lawyers at M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers are ready to help. Our understanding of personal injury law in California is unsurpassed, and we know how to get results for our clients.
Contact our Los Angeles, CA law offices or give us a call at (877) 300-4535 and schedule your free initial consultation. Our contingency fee arrangement allows you to take advantage of our legal skills and experience without paying upfront. You’ll only pay fees when we win your case for you. Talk to us about your case for free with no obligation.
How Can M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers Help You After a Seatbelt Injury in Los Angeles, CA?
As a personal injury law firm with an impeccable reputation for client service, M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers has decades of experience helping injured victims.
When you work with us, you know that you’ll have the same exemplary representation as our other clients.
A car or other personal injury accident brings incredible turmoil. Medical bills and other expenses keep coming when you have no idea how you’ll pay for them. But there’s good news: our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers are ready to help you get maximum compensation so you can recover with peace of mind.
When you work with us to represent you in your Los Angeles seatbelt injury accident, we take care of all the details for your case, such as:
- Fully investigating your accident
- Obtaining evidence from multiple sources, including police reports, medical records, witnesses statements, and a forensic examination of your vehicle
- Preparing your claim and filing it with all relevant parties
- Handling negotiations with insurance companies and other appropriate parties
- Communicating with you on the progress of your case
- If necessary, taking your case to court
We know insurance companies will do whatever they can to pay you less than your case is worth. Don’t talk to them before you talk to us. Their goal is to pay you nothing. But we know their underhanded tactics and how to overcome them.
Our Los Angeles car accident attorneys have handled hundreds of accident cases like yours. Contact our law offices to discuss your seatbelt injury case. There’s no obligation, and your consultation is free, so call today.
How Widespread Are Seatbelt Injuries in Los Angeles, CA?
In all 50 states, you are required to wear a seatbelt. These simple safety devices are known to prevent accident injuries as well as fatalities in many cases. According to car crash statistics, about 42% of people who died in car accidents were not wearing a seatbelt.
But when a seatbelt fails due to a manufacturing or design defect, malfunction, or incorrect materials, your seatbelt may cause more injuries than it prevents.
Other common types of car accidents in Los Angeles include:
How Dangerous Are Seatbelt Injuries?
We wear seatbelts expecting they will protect us from injuries during a crash. But we don’t consider that a seatbelt itself can cause injuries.
Seatbelts restrain drivers and passengers when the vehicle comes to a sudden stop to protect them from the impact of an accident. Their very nature could also cause injuries.
The seriousness of your injuries depends on several elements, including:
- The speed of the vehicle at impact
- Whether the seatbelt or airbag protected you or malfunctioned
- The severity of the collision
- Where the seatbelt was positioned on your body
- Whether the seatbelt had a defect
- The type of seatbelt—lap belt versus a lap and shoulder belt that crosses the sternum
These elements determine the extent of your injuries. For instance, a high-speed impact may lead to abdominal injuries because of the force of the body against the seatbelt’s restriction.
Conversely, a malfunctioning seatbelt can lead to drivers and passengers being thrown about inside the vehicle and possibly ejected, leading to catastrophic injuries.
What Types Of Injuries Can Result From a Defective Seatbelt?
Seatbelt injuries generally occur in the torso-to-head area. However, other injuries are possible due to either seatbelt failure or other variables.
In serious crashes, seatbelts can result in the following injuries::
- Rib fractures and bruising
- Injuries to the chest and sternum
- Heart and lung damage, leading to breathing difficulties
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Broken or fractured collarbone
- Torn shoulder tendons and muscles
- Head bruising from impact with the dashboard, window, or steering wheel
- Abdominal injuries, particularly to soft tissue and the abdominal wall
- Intestinal injuries
- Nerve damage
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Other skin injuries, such as burns
- Vascular injuries (these are rare)
Accident victims may also suffer from “seatbelt syndrome.” This comes from the position of your seatbelt during the crash.
The term refers to internal injuries caused by the seatbelt that are not immediately obvious after the crash. These symptoms don’t display for many hours or even days despite being life-threatening.
This is why immediate medical attention is very important. A CT scan should also be done to find internal injuries that are not obvious after a car accident.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover For a Seatbelt Injury in California?
Damages are assessed to help cover your losses after an accident. These losses could include:
If you were injured because your seatbelt was defective, you may also be able to file a claim against the manufacturer for product liability.
Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers can help you determine if there are third-party defendants you can sue.
If you suffered injuries because of a seatbelt, contact M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers today.
We’ll work hard to find the responsible party and seek the maximum damages for your injuries. Don’t wait. California limits the time you have to file a lawsuit to two years from the date of the accident. After that, you’re barred from recovery.
Contact our Los Angeles car accident attorneys today for a free consultation. There’s no obligation, and you don’t pay until we win your case.
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