Seatbelts save thousands of lives each year, but can also cause serious injuries during accidents. You may be eligible for compensation if you have suffered seatbelt-related injuries in Lafayette.
If you suffered seatbelt injuries and other losses in a car accident, contact highly qualified Lafayette car accident lawyers to discuss your situation. Let us turn your wrong into right.
How Do Seatbelt Injuries Happen in a Car Crash?
Seatbelt injuries typically occur during the violent force of impact in a collision, when your body is suddenly thrust forward while the restraint system keeps you secured in place. The rapid deceleration causes the seatbelt to tighten against your body with tremendous force – often reaching several thousand pounds of pressure in severe crashes. While this restraining action saves lives by preventing ejection from the vehicle, it can also cause trauma to the areas where the belt contacts your body.
These injuries can be more severe if the seatbelt isn’t worn properly or if it’s damaged or defective. Common misuse includes wearing the shoulder strap under the arm or placing the lap belt across the stomach instead of the hip bones. In Lafayette, our legal team has seen numerous cases where improper seatbelt positioning contributed to more serious injuries than necessary during otherwise survivable accidents.
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What Kinds of Injuries Can Seatbelts Cause?
While seatbelts save thousands of lives each year across Louisiana, they can sometimes cause injuries during severe collisions. It’s important to understand that these injuries are typically far less severe than what might occur without wearing a seatbelt. Here are the most common seatbelt-related injuries our Lafayette injury attorneys have encountered:
- Soreness and Bruising: Abrasions and unique bruising patterns where the seatbelt touched may appear across the victim’s chest.
- Shoulder Injuries: Rotator cuff damage may occur due to the sudden force of upper restraint during impact, along with other strains/sprains to the area.
- Serious Abdominal Injuries: Internal bruising or, in severe crashes, potential organ damage and internal bleeding where the lap belt tightens against the stomach.
- Neck Injuries: Whiplash, neck strain and sprain, damaged arteries and fractures to the cervical spine may occur.
- Collarbone Injuries: Fractures or bruising to the collarbone caused by the shoulder strap’s pressure point during high-impact accidents
This group of injuries is often referred to as “seatbelt syndrome” – a specific pattern of injuries that occurs during motor vehicle collisions when the body’s impact against the safety restraint causes a combination of visible seatbelt marks. These marks could indicate serious internal injuries to the chest, abdomen, and spine, which is why victims should seek medical attention and diagnostic testing to rule out potentially life-threatening organ damage, internal bleeding and other serious damage.
Can I Sue for Seatbelt Injuries in Lafayette?
If another party’s negligence caused the car crash that injured you, then you may be eligible to seek compensation for any resulting injuries and damages, including those caused by your seatbelt. The amount and type of compensation for this type of claim is based on many factors. For instance, how badly you were injured, the types of treatment you may need and how long it takes you to recover.
If eligible, you may be able to recover compensation for the following damages:
- Emergency medical care at the crash scene
- Ambulance transportation to an appropriate emergency room
- Diagnostic, testing and treatment at the hospital’s ER
- Surgery or other emergency medical treatment needed to stabilize your injuries
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation therapy needed to aid your recovery
- Lost income and wages
- Pain and suffering damages
- Future medical needs
- Reduced earning capacity
- And more
At Galloway Jefcoat, we help turn wrong into right for injured victims every day, and we have a proven history of success. We know what evidence is needed to build a strong case on your behalf and how to obtain it from the crash scene.
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What Can I Do To Help My Lafayette Car Crash Claim?
The first and most important thing you can do is to get medical attention right away. This protects your health and ensures you get the treatment you need more quickly. It also helps to link your injuries to the accident that caused them. Your medical records provide critical evidence of your injuries, but there is other evidence you need to support your claim.
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What Evidence Do I Need for My Car Crash Claim?
To start with, be sure to track and record all the documents that show proof of your diagnosis, severity of injuries, treatment and medical costs. This documentation helps to establish the value of your claim.
Other types of evidence that can help to support your claim include:
- Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage and injuries
- Witness statements
- Police report
- Video footage, if available, such as from traffic cams, smartphone footage or dash cams
- Vehicle maintenance records
It is best to consult with a car accident attorney before you file a claim. They can help to protect your legal rights and best interests from day one, making sure you avoid making mistakes that could hurt your claim.
Injured in a Crash? Call Galloway Jefcoat for Legal Help You Can Trust
If you suffered seatbelt injuries or other losses in a Lafayette car crash, we are prepared to help.
At Galloway Jefcoat, we advocate for injured victims every day, and we are deeply committed to holding at-fault parties accountable for their negligent actions.
There is no need to face this difficult situation alone. Our highly qualified car accident lawyers are ready to help your recover the compensation you deserve. Call to learn about your rights and legal options today. Your initial consultation is completely free, and there are no upfront costs or fees to pay. We only get paid if you do.
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