Seat belt usage saves countless lives every year in Florida car accidents, yet they can cause serious injuries even when they work correctly. Seat belt syndrome refers to a range of injuries to the chest, abdomen, and internal organs that people sometimes sustain in a collision. These injuries result from the pressure seat belts exert on drivers and passengers when a crash occurs, causing painful symptoms that often don’t manifest right away.
What Are the Signs of Seat Belt Syndrome?
The most visible signs of seat belt syndrome are abrasions and bruises on the neck, chest, and waist, according to an article in the International Journal of Surgery Case Reports. The severe injuries typically form a diagonal line from one shoulder across the chest toward the hips on the opposite side of the body, following the path of a seat belt’s chest restraint. Some people also see bruises form across their waist or stomach along the path of a seat belt’s lap restraint.
Seat belt syndrome can also cause injuries to the intestines and other internal organs. These injuries can cause severe or even fatal health problems in some cases.
Some warning signs of internal injuries from seat belt syndrome include:
- Abdominal pain and tenderness
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
- Vomiting or nausea
- Unexplained weakness or fatigue
- Swelling in the stomach or abdomen
- Blood in stool or urine
If you notice any of these symptoms of seat belt syndrome after a car accident, seek medical attention right away, as you may have suffered severe internal injuries.
What Causes Seat Belt Injuries?
Seat belts protect drivers and passengers by preventing them from flying forward and hitting the car’s steering wheel, dashboard, or other parts of the interior when a collision happens. However, drivers and passengers still experience the force of the crash, causing intense pressure on their bodies when their seat belts activate and they suddenly stop.
The enormous force can cause both external and internal injuries, though the internal injuries may take longer to show up and are often harder to detect. For that reason, it’s crucial to get a thorough evaluation and medical treatment after any car accident, even if you initially think you have only minor injuries.
What Injuries and Medical Conditions Are Caused by Seat Belt Syndrome?
Seat belt syndrome can cause many catastrophic injuries and medical conditions, including:
- Abdominal injuries and organ damage – Seat belts can compress organs like the liver, spleen, and intestines during a crash. This pressure can cause the organs to rupture or bleed internally, leading to severe complications that may require abdominal surgery.
- Bowel perforation – The seat belt’s pressure on the abdomen can cause the small or large intestines to rupture or perforate. When that happens, the contents of the bowel can leak into the abdominal cavity, leading to infection (peritonitis) and other life-threatening injuries.
- Rib fractures – When the body flies forward in a collision, and the seat belt tightens, the blunt force trauma can be enough to crack or fracture ribs, especially in older adults or those with weaker bones. Rib fractures can also puncture the lungs or other nearby organs, leading to additional complications.
- Lung contusions or collapsed lungs – During a car crash, the sudden force of the seat belt pressing against the chest can compress the lungs. The pressure on the chest can cause lung bruising (contusions) or a collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
- Internal bleeding and vascular injuries – The pressure from the seat belt across the chest and abdomen can cause blood vessels to rupture, leading to internal bleeding. It is especially dangerous because it might not be immediately apparent and can quickly become life-threatening if not treated.
- Diaphragm rupture – The diaphragm, a muscle that helps with breathing, can tear when a seat belt presses against the abdomen during a crash. When that happens, abdominal organs may move into the chest cavity, disrupting lung function.
- Chest wall injuries and bruising – The seat belt’s restraint across the chest can cause bruising and injuries to the chest wall. While bruising might initially seem minor, the force can sometimes lead to more serious conditions like a fractured sternum or damage to underlying tissues and muscles. These injuries can cause significant pain and make it difficult to breathe or move.
Can I Receive Compensation for Seat Belt Syndrome?
Under Florida’s no-fault auto insurance system, your first option for recovering compensation for seat belt injuries in a car crash is to file a claim with your auto insurance company. Every Florida auto insurance policy must include at least $10,000 in both personal injury protection (PIP) coverage and property damage coverage. Your PIP coverage covers 80 percent of your medical expenses and up to 60 percent of your lost wages after a collision up to your coverage limits.
While no-fault coverage is necessary, it may not be enough to cover all your losses after a serious car accident, particularly if you have severe injuries stemming from seat belt syndrome. You can seek additional compensation by filing a claim against the at-fault driver or another liable party. To step outside the no-fault system for motor vehicle crashes, Florida law requires that one or more of the following circumstances apply to your case:
- Your injuries led to the permanent and significant loss of an important bodily function.
- You suffered permanent and significant scarring or disfigurement.
- You suffered a permanent injury other than disfigurement or scarring.
- Someone in your family died due to their injuries from the crash.
If you meet one of these requirements, your claim against the other driver or another liable party can include compensation for:
- Your current medical expenses
- The cost of future medical care you might need
- Your lost income while you heal
- Any reduction in your future earnings due to your injuries
- Your pain and suffering
- Your diminished quality of life
- Your damaged personal property
How Can an Experienced Attorney Help with My Seat Belt Injury Case?
Working with knowledgeable car accident lawyers from Cardoso Law, PLLC, is vital to maximize your compensation for seat belt-related injuries. While you recuperate, our car accident attorneys can gather your medical records and other evidence to document your serious injuries and identify the liable parties.
Our lawyers can also file seat belt syndrome claims on your behalf and handle all settlement negotiations, using our knowledge and experience to fight for the most compensation possible. If settlement negotiations fail, our attorneys can file a personal injury lawsuit and represent you in court.
To discover more about our previous clients’ experiences at our law firm, read our testimonials. For example, Chris L. writes, “Mr. Cardoso is the epitome of professionalism. I could not imagine hiring anyone other than him to handle my case. And he cares about his clients. It’s not just a job, it is his passion.”
Call Cardoso Law, PLLC, to Further Discuss Your Car Accident Case
Seat belt injuries can have catastrophic effects on your life, and Cardoso Law, PLLC, can help you hold the liable parties accountable for the harm they caused. Call us today or complete our contact form to set up a free consultation with a motor vehicle accident attorney from our law firm.
