Insufficiently designed shoulder belts can cause whiplash so severe that the victim may be unable to move their neck and be in a great deal of pain. Whiplash, so named because the head and neck are whipped back and forth in a vehicle collision, is extremely common after a motor vehicle accident. Again, it is always important to see the advice of a medical professional after any car accident. Physical therapy is often needed to help restore the damaged shoulder. The first thing to do is apply ice to the area to reduce inflammation. ShouldersĪlthough painful, soft tissue, tendon, or muscle damage to the shoulder caused by the force of seat belt pressure in an accident may not be life-threatning. There are many different types of head and brain injuries, some of which are life-threatening. The most common type of car crash seatbelt head injury is a concussion – often caused by the driver hitting their head on the steering wheel or the front-seat passenger encountering the dashboard. Of course, any head injury should be taken seriously and receive medical attention. Obtaining a full medical evaluation by a professional is important to ensure that there are no life-threatening injuries present Another severe result may be lumbar damage to the spine from the lap belt section of the seat belt. Yet this type of injury can result in more than discomfort and abdominal skin bruising, as it may actually indicate internal bleeding or intestinal damage. Stomachĭuring a sudden stop, the pressure from a seat belt commonly causes some stomach or waist pain. Additionally, this type of injury could result in an aortic dissection, which can result in death. Getting an x-ray after a motor vehicle accident is crucial to know that you are not suffering from internal injuries. However, if the pain includes the center chest bone – the sternum – this type of seat belt injury can be hazardous as your lungs and heart could be damaged. ChestĪ sore chest from a shoulder belt after a car accident is common and may not result in any serious or life-threatening injuries. You may actually have suffered a broken rib that could puncture a lung, which can be very serious. It is essential to get immediate professional medical help even if you think your ribs are just bruised. The pain from this type of injury may last for months. Ribsīruised or fractured ribs caused by seat belt restraints are very common and exceptionally painful. Additionally, wounds and cuts that are surface injuries should be cleaned immediately to prevent infection. However, these injuries may not just be minor surface wounds, and they may signal internal damage. The most common injuries from seat belts in car accidents are cuts, wounds, scrapes, and marks from the actual seat belt pressure on the skin during sudden and violent stops. The following are the most serious and common injuries from seat belts as a result of a car accident. Ironically, the seat belts that are intended to help save lives can also cause considerable damage. Most Serious and Common Injuries from Seat Belts The group of possible injuries is quite large, and many seat belt afflictions are both common and severe. It is important that even minor abrasions or signs of discomfort receive a full medical examination after a motor vehicle accident in case of serious damage to internal organs or vertebrae.Īs reported by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, seat belts create injuries to the body by transferring blunt force trauma from forceful restraint of vehicle passengers. Seat Belt Syndrome refers to the injuries caused by seat belts that may or may not be noticed by the victim following a car accident. How can the same device that prevents us from flying through the windshield in a motor vehicle crash or collision also, at the same time, be capable of causing severe harm to our bones and internal organs? If you suffered from Seat Belt Syndrome injuries following a car accident, contact the experienced attorneys at Stabinski Law (305) 643-3100 for a free consultation to learn if you have the legal right to compensation for your losses. The paradox of injuries from seat belts in car accidents can certainly be confusing.
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