Did you suffer a seat belt injury in an accident caused by a negligent driver in Colorado Springs? If so, our Colorado Springs Seatbelt Injury Attorneys have the experience needed to help you get maximum recovery – financially, physically and emotionally.
Seat Belts are designed to save your life. And while getting out alive is undoubtedly the best outcome, seatbelts can protect lives at the cost of causing severe injuries as well. Seat Belt injuries, or seat belt syndrome, are a group of common injuries caused by seat belts and can range from bruises to internal bleeding and spinal cord injuries.
The sudden change of momentum during a crash mixed with the seat belt restraint can cause a lot of damage to the human body. If you sustained seat belt injuries in a car accident, our Colorado Springs Seatbelt Injury Attorney may be able to help you recover compensation. Our legal team has represented numerous seat belt injury victims and won them a generous payout for their damages.
What Factors Affect the Severity of Seat Belt Injuries in a Car Accident?
While many factors can affect the seriousness of a seatbelt injury, the following may have the greatest impact the injury outcome:
- Severity of the crash and the impact
- How tight the restraints were
- Whether the seatbelt was functioning properly during the collision
- Whether the seatbelt was fasted and worn correctly
- Whether or not a manufacturing defect interfered with the seatbelt’s functioning
If another negligent driver played a role in contributing to your seatbelt injuries, you need the top rated Colorado Springs Seatbelt Injury Attorneys to help you gather all the facts. We will conduct a thorough investigation to help build the strongest possible case to support your claim and obtain you the maximum compensation possible.
Examples of evidence your Colorado Springs Seatbelt Injury Attorney may want for your case include police reports, medical records, pictures, eyewitness statements, and manufacturer data if a seatbelt was defectively manufactured.
Potential Seat Belt Injuries In Colorado Springs
When his seat belt is worn properly, they spread the crash forces across the body. These parts include bony parts like the rib cage, shoulder, and pelvis, which often break from seat belt restraint during a crash. While it does prevent death by preventing the vehicle occupants from being ejected from a vehicle, the restraint can cause residual harm.
Examples of seatbelt injuries include:
- Broken ribs
- Bruised ribs
- Broken chest and sternum
- Internal injuries, often affecting the stomach, small bowels, kidneys, bladder, colon, and spine
- Organ damage
- Shoulder injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Head injuries
Seatbelt injuries can cause internal and external injuries of varying degrees. Due to the possibility of internal injuries, it’s crucial to get medical care asap after a car accident.
Our Colorado Springs Seatbelt Injury Attorneys can review your medical records and work with medical experts to paint a full picture of the extent of your injuries. We will also devise an efficient legal strategy to ensure you get the highest financial rewards possible for your injuries.
If you sustained injuries because of a negligent driver we will fight aggressively to protect your rights and hold them accountable.
Signs and Symptoms of Seat Belt Injury After a Colorado Springs Car Accident
No matter what type of car or accident you were involved in, it’s highly advisable to seek medical care immediately following a crash. Sometimes, car accident injuries have delayed symptoms. Or, if you have internal injuries or brain injury, you may not have obvious symptoms. To prevent worsening of an injury, it’s best to get medical care as soon as possible. Only a medical professional can do the appropriate testing necessary to diagnose seat belt syndrome.
One of the first signs of seatbelt injury is abdominal pain and bruising. Again, however, the bruising may not appear for several hours or the next day. Here are some signs that may suggest you are injured from a seatbelt after a crash:
- Bruising in the abdominal region
- Muscle strain around the abdomen
- Seatbelt marks across the abdomen
- Chest pain
- Sternum soreness
- Swelling and discoloration that lasts for more than a few days
- Dizziness and weakness (which indicate internal organ damage)
- Changes in bowel movements
- Incontinence
- Vomiting
- Coughing up blood
- Higher than normal blood pressure
- Pain in the ribs
- Hip pain
- Constipation
Diagnosing Seat Belt Syndrome After a Colorado Springs Car Accident
Since seat belt trauma can cause internal damage, diagnosing the injury is not always a straightforward process. It requires specific testing by a trained medical expert to identify the symptoms of seat belt syndrome and properly diagnose it. Keep in mind that seat belt syndrome can have delayed symptoms so it’s best to get medical attention ASAP, even if you think your injuries are minor.
A doctor will perform physical tests and look for symptoms of abdominal injury that suggest seat belt trauma. Other tests may include CT scans and focused abdominal sonography trauma testing (FAST) to diagnose internal trauma or organ damage. In rare cases, a doctor may order a laparotomy (abdominal surgery) may be required to diagnose the injuries that are associated with seat belt syndrome. However, this is a very invasive surgery and will only be required in extreme cases.
Whatever the case, if you are now injured from seatbelt injuries from an accident that another driver caused, call a Colorado Springs Seatbelt Injury Attorney.
Complications of Seat Belt Syndrome Following a Colorado Springs Seatbelt Injury
Seatbelt injuries that are left untreated can become life-threatening or cause permanent damage or disability. What makes them so scary is that they can exist without any obvious symptoms. They can even be worsening behind what meets the eye.
Don’t make the mistake of waiting before it’s too late to prevent your injuries from worsening and having long term consequences.
Contact a Colorado Springs Seatbelt Injury Attorney
A seatbelt can help save your life, but it doesn’t prevent all injuries. If you sustained seat belt injuries in a car accident, you need to hire the best representation possible to win you the compensation you deserve.
Our legal team has dedicated, hard working personal injury lawyers with a proven track record of successful seat belt injury cases. Call us today for a free consultation.
