During the winter months, the roads are particularly treacherous throughout the state. Because of this, now is a good time to refresh your cold weather driving practices.
Issues like less traction and reduced visibility increase the possibility of a car accident.
To ensure you stay safe while on the road, you must buckle up even if an accident occurs.
Many people do not realize that wearing your seatbelt is one of the most effective ways to save your life and the lives of your passengers. According to information from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), tens of thousands of people would have died in a motor vehicle accident had they not been wearing their seatbelt each year.
While this is true, seat belts and other safety restraints in vehicles can cause serious and debilitating injuries in some situations. Professionals in the healthcare field call these injuries seat belt syndrome.
Keep in mind that if you are involved in an accident that was someone else’s fault and experience seat belt syndrome, you may still be able to recover compensation from the at-fault party for your injuries. The best way to know for sure is by getting in touch with our team of legal professionals at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers.
Now that you know the importance of hiring an attorney after a car accident, it is time to learn more about seat belt syndrome and the injuries it may cause. This information will help you know when you need to seek medical attention and the services of an attorney.
The Potential Injuries Caused by Seat Belt Syndrome
Now that you know the dangers of accidents, even while wearing your seat belt, it‘s important to understand what injuries you may experience.
Internal Injuries
While this is considered the most severe outcome of seat belt syndrome, if the accident is forceful enough, you may experience internal injuries. In fact, these may occur even if the seat belt is being worn properly.
For example, if your rip is broken due to the accident, it may protrude and injure your lungs. In other situations, broken vertebrae or pelvis may put your spleen, kidneys, or bladder in danger.
Muscular Injuries
The connective tissues and muscles in your body are also at risk for seat belt injuries. When you are involved in a collision, your body will press into the restraint system in your vehicle. This can cause you to experience ligament strains, muscular tears, and other types of soft-tissue injuries.
Also, since your seat belt is holding most of your body in a static position, the parts that are not restrained may be injured. The most common injury among people involved in an accident who are wearing their seat belts is whiplash.
Skeletal Injuries
Even the force exerted by a moderate-speed collision can be extreme. If you are traveling down the road and something stops your vehicle suddenly, your body will continue to move forward until it is stopped by something else.
In most cases, the seat belt will stop the forward movement of your body. This is preferable to having you hit the pavement, windshield, or steering column, which is the alternative. Even though this is the preferable outcome, it can still cause a fracture to your pelvis, spine, ribs, or collar bone.
The Importance of Seeking Medical Attention After Any Vehicle Collision
If you are involved in a car accident, you must seek medical care right away. This is essential even if you do not feel like you are injured.
There are many injuries, like whiplash, which may take hours or days to surface. This type of delayed reaction to the injury could mean trouble if you did not seek medical care right away.
Also, suppose you filed a lawsuit against the at-fault party but did not seek medical attention immediately. In that case, the person’s insurance company may claim that the injury you suffered was not due to the accident.
Hire an Attorney for Help with Your Car Accident Claim
If you are involved in a car accident, one of the smartest things you can do is to hire an attorney. Our team is here to help you with your accident claim and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve for the injury you suffered.
We have provided representation for injured parties for years and will provide you with the same aggressive services to help you receive compensation to recover from your injuries fully. Contact us today at Connecticut car accident lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your situation. We are here to help you.
Even though accidents happen every day, you do not have to suffer in silence. Our team will ensure the at fault party is held responsible for the injuries and damages you experienced.