Campaigns and public service announcements about wearing a seat belt are common now. People know they can face fines for failing to wear a seat belt in a moving vehicle. While most people are focused on the safety aspect of this device, they may not realize that seat belts can also harm victims of car wrecks.
The force of the body slamming against the seat belt can cause damage to the body. These can range from minor to catastrophic. Because of this, it’s imperative that anyone who’s been in a crash seek out medical care since some injuries might be hidden.
What injuries commonly occur because of seat belts?
Many people who are in a crash while wearing a seat belt will suffer from bruising, but this usually isn’t serious enough to cause any lasting effects. Other, more serious, injuries include:
- Spinal fractures: These fractures usually occur in the lower back due to the person’s body flinging forward at the time of impact. They’re more common with two-point seat belts than three-point seat belts.
- Chest injuries: The force of the body slamming against the seat belt can cause rib and sternum bruising and fractures. It can also cause lung bruising when the impact is great.
- Internal abdominal injuries: Internal organs can suffer bruises in the crash. In severe cases, lacerations of those organs are possible.
Suffering an injury in a crash, whether it’s from the seat belt or not, means that you need to get medical care. Seeking compensation for the damages is possible when a wreck is the result of negligence. There are various types of damages that you can claim in these cases, so be sure to work with someone who’s familiar with them so you can seek the full compensation you’re due.