Defective Seat Belt Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles, CA

Our Seat Belt Injury Attorneys Can Help You Fight

Before we’re even old enough to drive, the importance of wearing a seat belt is hammered into our brains. “Buckle Up!” every parent says before starting the car. It’s something that we do without thinking, but as we become adults and get more comfortable with driving, we tend to slowly become more relaxed with that rule.

But in the event that you get into an accident, your seat belt will save you from being ejected from the vehicle and sustaining severe damage. However, they do not 100% protect you from sustaining injuries in a crash. Sometimes, they can be the cause of your injuries.

If another driver caused your crash, then he or she should also be held responsible for the trauma you suffered due to your seat belt. At NOVIK LAW GROUP, A Professional Corporation, our Los Angeles car accident lawyers know how to best handle these cases, and we offer a free consultation at (818) 305-6041. If we take your case, you pay no upfront fees or retainers, and we only get paid if we win you the compensation you deserve.

Common Injuries Due to Seat Belts

“Seat belt syndrome” is a collection of injuries associated with being restrained by a seat belt in a violent crash. The body bends around the belt, and is snapped back afterward. It tends to include:

• Abdominal injuries: The abdominal wall and linings, liver, spleen, intestines, and other organs in the cavity may be ruptured by the force of impact. When the lap belt restrains the body, it may bruise or cut into this area.
• Neck/shoulder injuries: Victims may suffer injury to the spinal cord, specifically when the body arches and snaps back against the seat. Whiplash is a possibility, but so is spinal cord fracture and nerve damage. Children are at increased risk of seat belt-related injury, especially if they aren’t in a well-fitted booster seat.

After a crash, look for the “classic seat belt sign”: redness, scraping, or bruising of the neck, chest and abdomen. These things indicate a high chance of an internal injury. If you have stomach pain, difficulty going to the bathroom, lightheadedness, or nausea, seek medical help immediately. Another danger is internal bleeding, which can deprive your organs of oxygen and cause them to shut down, and infection, which can spread toxins around your body and possibly put you into septic shock. When in doubt, go to the doctor.

Who Pays for Seat Belt-Related Injuries?

Car safety restraints do save thousands of lives just around Los Angeles every year, and we can’t go without them. Still, if you were injured by your seat belt in a car accident, you should file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance. These are real and dangerous injuries, and they deserve to be treated quickly and thoroughly.

At NOVIK LAW GROUP, A Professional Corporation, we will work tirelessly to ensure that your medical expenses are covered. You should not be financially obligated to pay for an injury that was caused by a negligent driver. Give our office a call at (818) 305-6041 for a free consultation.