Seat Belt Injury

The seat belt is one of the most important advancements in car safety of the past century. Thanks to the seat belt, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of lives have been saved. Unfortunately, accident victims can still suffer extensive trauma due in spite of these devices, and a malfunctioning seat belt can even lead to catastrophic repercussions.

If you have become the victim of a seat belt injury, then you are likely in need of skilled legal help. At The Lenahan Law Firm, we dedicate all of our time, resources, and skills to serious accident cases so that our clients get the best legal representation in Texas. Our Dallas seat belt injury attorneys have seen just how devastating a high-speed collision can be for victims and understand the pain that you are going through. If you want to hold the party responsible for your injuries responsible and get the compensation you need to recover, then we may be the right law firm for you. Call us at (214) 295-1008 for dedicated legal support today and a free consultation.

A seat belt’s job is to restrict the wearer and keep them in place. That way, in the event of a collision, the wearer is held in the seat. They won’t hit the dashboard, the door, or the roof, and they won’t be sent flying through the windshield. This invention has saved millions of lives since it was implemented over 80 years ago. However, that does not mean it is completely safe. Even when functioning correctly, seat belts can still cause serious injuries.

The restricting nature of the seat belt means that a lot of pressure is put on your chest and abdomen. When a seat belt holds you in place, it stops the inertia of your body. Thus, the energy is redirected back into you. In more minor accidents, this redirection of energy is not enough to injure you beyond some bruising. In serious, high-speed accidents, you can suffer catastrophic injuries along ribcage, abdomen, and shoulders. But that is only if it works. If a seat belt fails, you could be sent flying forward and strike your head or through a windshield.

A seat belt can even lead to a punctured lung. The ribs are often the first bone to break from seat belt restriction, and the edges can be sent backward into the lung, or even the heart, causing tears and punctures. This can lead to serious internal bleeding, as well as making it difficult, or even impossible, to breathe.