Seatbelt injuries in Tampa, FL, can be painful. In some cases, a seatbelt injury can result in serious complications and life-threatening injuries after an auto accident. Having an attorney who understands seatbelt injury claims can help you get the money you deserve.
The Tampa seatbelt injury lawyers of Catania & Catania, P.A. have represented accident victims since 1992. With over 120 years of combined legal experience, we have gained extensive knowledge of car accident claims.
Our legal team is passionate about holding negligent drivers responsible for their conduct. Contact our law firm or call us at (813) 222-8656 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Tampa car accident attorneys. Let us help you recover fair compensation for seat belt injuries.
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How Our Tampa Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You After a Seatbelt Injury
Being injured in a car accident can turn your world upside down. You may be out of work for a lengthy period and incur substantial medical bills. Our Tampa personal injury attorneys are here to help you as you continue to heal and get your life back on track.
When you hire Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers, you can expect our injury attorneys to:
- Investigate your accident to identify liable parties and possible product defects that led to the injury
- Consult with and retain expert witnesses to provide evidence and testimony regarding the accident if necessary
- Work with you and your physicians to gather evidence documenting the extent of your injuries and damages
- Calculate the maximum value for your personal injury claim and fight to get you that amount
- Negotiate for a fair settlement or take your case to trial
Seatbelts can save your life in an accident. However, they can also cause injuries themselves.
Call our law office to speak with a Tampa personal injury attorney about your case. Your initial consultation is free, and you are under no obligation to hire our firm after talking with an attorney.
How Common Are Seatbelt Injuries?
Typically, wearing seatbelts reduces the risk of severe injuries and death in a car accident. Using a seatbelt can reduce the risk of death by 65 percent. It can reduce the risk of moderate to critical injury by 50 percent.
However, seatbelts can also cause injuries. In some cases, the injuries are unavoidable and a result of the car crash. Statistics show that common car crashes include:
- Head-on crashes,
- Highway crashes,
- Lane change accidents,
- Left-turn accidents,
- Rear-end collisions,
- Recreational vehicle accidents,
- Red and yellow lights,
- Rollover accidents,
- And more.
On the other hand, some seatbelt injuries are caused by defects in the seatbelt design, manufacture, or installation.
What Causes Seatbelt Injuries?
A seatbelt locks into place during a collision to prevent a passenger from being ejected from the vehicle or slamming into other objects. In some cases, the seatbelt can cause an injury.
Some causes of seatbelt injuries include:
- Wearing the seatbelt incorrectly
- Pre-existing conditions that increase the risk of injury from a seatbelt
- Improper positioning of the seatbelt
- Children wearing a seatbelt who are too short for a standard seatbelt to fit correctly
- Defective seatbelts
A defective or malfunctioning seatbelt can cause life-threatening injuries. The type of car crash and the severity of the impact can also be factors in the cause of a seatbelt injury.
What Injuries Are Caused by Seatbelts?
A seatbelt can cause numerous injuries during a collision, including:
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Sternal fractures
- Seatbelt syndrome (injuries to internal organs)
- Skin abrasions
- Internal bleeding
- Neck injuries and whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Heart and lung injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Broken, bruised, and fractured ribs
- Injuries resulting from the seatbelt failing to restrain the occupant
- Wrongful death
An injured party should seek medical treatment if they experience any symptoms of a seatbelt injury. For example, seatbelt injuries may present some of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain
- Swelling
- Discoloration or bruising
- Vomiting or nausea
- Weakness or dizziness
- Limited movement in the shoulders or arms
- Problems urinating or having bowel movements
Seatbelt injuries that are not treated could become life-threatening. Emergency room doctors might not focus on seatbelt injuries if the person sustained other injuries. It is crucial to report all injury symptoms after an accident and continue to seek care if your symptoms persist.
Who is Responsible for My Seatbelt Injuries?
In most cases, the driver who caused the car accident is liable for damages resulting from the accident. Therefore, the at-fault driver may be responsible for your medical bills, pain, lost wages, and other damages. However, you must first prove that the driver caused your accident due to negligence to recover compensation.
If a defective seatbelt caused your injury, the seatbelt manufacturer and/or the vehicle manufacturer may be liable for damages.
Proving your case depends on the type of defect. Generally, strict liability applies in defective product cases and failure to warn cases.
In strict liability cases, you only need to prove that:
- You used the product as it was intended to be used
- The product was defective
- The defect was the proximate cause of your injury
- You sustained damages
Because product liability cases involve complicated mechanical concepts, expert witnesses must assist with the investigation. They may also testify in court to help simplify the complicated facts of a product for jury members. Airbag injuries are also common product liability claims arising from car accidents.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Tampa Car Accident Lawyers
We want to help you seek justice for the harm you suffered after a car accident. Seatbelt injuries in Tampa, FL, may sound minor, but they can be traumatic. You deserve compensation for your losses. Call now for your free consultation with a Tampa car accident lawyer.
