Seatbelts and Car Accidents

    LANCASTER, PA, December 23, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 63 percent of people killed in car accidents are not wearing a seatbelt. Considered the most effective safety device in motor vehicles, it is estimated that seatbelts save upwards of ten thousand lives and prevent thousands more serious injuries in the United States every year.

There is little doubt that seatbelts can and do save lives. However, they also provide their own potential for injuries. If you were injured in a car accident and your seatbelt added to your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation from the car manufacturer. An experienced accident lawyer can assess your claim and help you determine if you have cause to file suit.

Injuries Caused by Seatbelts

A number of injuries can occur when a seatbelt malfunctions. These include:
- Chest injuries
- Fractured, broken, or dislocated bones
- Head injuries
- Brain injuries
- Amputations
- Burst appendix or ruptured spleen
- Aneurism
- Soft tissue damage

These injuries are more common in children than in adults, and may occur even when a seatbelt works as intended. If your accident resulted in additional damages caused by a seatbelt, you deserve strong legal representation from an aggressive accident lawyer to ensure you are provided the compensation you will need to recover.

Seatbelt Usage

Seatbelts are more likely to cause serious injury when used incorrectly. Your lap belt should be secured over your hips and groin, and be neither too lose nor too tight. Shoulder straps should run from the shoulder, across the midsection of the chest, and fasten at the hip. Like your lap belt, it should fit snugly, but not constrain movement.

When a seatbelt is worn properly it has the potential to prevent serious injury or death. However, seatbelts may still be a contributing factor in your injuries. If you have been injured in a car accident, you need a lawyer on your side who can investigate the cause of all of your injuries and fight to get you the justice you are due.

To learn more about your rights following a car accident, please visit the website of the Lancaster, Pennsylvania accident lawyers at Atlee Hall, LLP today at www.atleehall.com.

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