Were you injured by a seatbelt during a car accident in Fort Worth, Texas? Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers can investigate the cause of your injuries and determine whether another driver, a defective restraint system, or another party may be responsible. Contact us at (817) 400-5000 to schedule a free consultation with a Fort Worth seatbelt injury lawyer.
Seatbelts save lives, but the force of a serious collision can cause injuries to the chest, abdomen, neck, or spine. A defective or improperly fitted restraint may also fail to protect an occupant as intended. Our attorneys can evaluate the circumstances of your crash, identify potentially liable parties, and help you pursue compensation for your injuries and other losses.
How Can Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers Help After a Seatbelt Injury in Fort Worth, TX?
A seatbelt injury claim may involve medical records, crash evidence, vehicle inspections, and expert analysis of how the restraint system performed. Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers brings a decade of combined personal injury experience and has recovered $40 million in compensation for past clients.
A Fort Worth car accident lawyer from our firm can handle every stage of your case, including:
- Investigating the crash and gathering evidence
- Examining the vehicle and seatbelt system
- Consulting medical and accident reconstruction experts
- Identifying responsible parties and available insurance coverage
- Assessing your current and future losses
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Preparing your case for trial when necessary
Our legal team can handle the legal process while you focus on your recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Fort Worth personal injury attorney.
How Can a Seatbelt Cause Injuries in a Car Accident in Fort Worth?
A seatbelt helps secure an occupant during a crash, reducing the risk of ejection or contact with the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, or other parts of the vehicle. However, when a vehicle stops or changes direction suddenly, the restraint can exert significant force on the body.
Proper positioning can affect how that force is distributed. The lap belt should fit across the hips rather than the stomach, while the shoulder belt should cross the center of the chest and shoulder rather than pass under the arm or behind the back.
Seatbelt injuries may occur when:
- A collision involves significant force
- The belt crosses the neck or abdomen
- An occupant is too small for the restraint
- The seat or belt is positioned improperly
- The belt locks too late or fails to lock
- A pretensioner or retractor malfunctions
- A vehicle rolls over or is struck from the side
In some crashes, a properly functioning seatbelt can cause injuries even as it protects an occupant from more serious harm. In others, a design, manufacturing, or installation defect may contribute to the injuries.
What Are Common Types of Seatbelt Injuries?
Seatbelt injuries can range from minor bruising to serious internal trauma. Some symptoms may not appear immediately, particularly after a high-stress collision.
Common seatbelt injuries include:
- Chest bruising and sternum fractures
- Broken ribs
- Shoulder and collarbone injuries
- Neck and back strains
- Spinal fractures
- Abdominal bruising
- Internal bleeding
- Damage to the liver, spleen, or intestines
- Nerve injuries
- Cuts or friction burns
A visible mark across the chest or abdomen is sometimes referred to as a seatbelt sign. Although the mark alone does not indicate the full extent of an injury, it may be a sign of underlying trauma. Seek medical attention after a crash if you experience pain, swelling, weakness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, abdominal tenderness, or other concerning symptoms.
Who May Be Liable for a Seatbelt Injury in Fort Worth?
The driver who caused the collision may be liable for injuries resulting from the force of the crash. For example, a speeding, distracted, impaired, or otherwise negligent driver could be responsible.
Other parties may also share liability. A vehicle or parts manufacturer could be responsible if a defective seatbelt or restraint component contributed to the injury. A repair or maintenance company may also be liable if improper work caused the restraint system to malfunction.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- A negligent driver
- A driver’s employer
- A vehicle manufacturer
- A seatbelt or component manufacturer
- A dealership
- A maintenance or repair company
If a seatbelt defect may have contributed to your injuries, preserving the vehicle can be important. Repairing, selling, or disposing of it could destroy evidence needed to determine how the restraint system performed. A Fort Worth product liability attorney can investigate a suspected defect, identify potentially responsible parties, and explain your options for pursuing compensation.
Does Texas Law Require Seatbelt Use?
Texas law requires drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts. Children younger than eight must typically use an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat unless they meet the applicable height requirement.
Failing to wear a seatbelt does not automatically make someone responsible for causing a crash. However, the Texas Supreme Court has held that relevant evidence of seatbelt use or nonuse may be considered when determining responsibility for crash-related injuries.
An insurance company may argue that failing to wear a seatbelt contributed to the severity of an injured person’s harm. Medical records, vehicle evidence, and expert analysis can help determine whether seatbelt use actually affected the injuries and challenge attempts to assign an unfair share of responsibility.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Seatbelt Injury?
A personal injury claim may allow you to recover compensation for financial and personal losses caused by your injuries. The value of your claim will depend on factors such as the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, the impact on your ability to work, and the available evidence.
Recoverable damages may include:
- Emergency care and hospital bills
- Surgery and rehabilitation
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Physical impairment
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Property damage
A Fort Worth car accident attorney can evaluate your losses and determine the types of compensation you may be entitled to pursue.
Contact the Fort Worth Seatbelt Injury Lawyers at Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A seatbelt injury can require extensive treatment and leave you facing unexpected medical bills and other losses. An attorney can help preserve important evidence, document your injuries, and determine whether a driver, manufacturer, or another party may be responsible.
Contact Trial Tribe Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with a Fort Worth seatbelt injury attorney and discuss your legal options.