Seat Belt Injuries in Car Accidents: What You Need to Know

Seat belts save lives, that we know. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 90% of Americans used seat belts in 2024, and seat belts save roughly 15,000 lives each year. Moreover, nearly half of the roughly 24,000 people killed in car accidents in 2023 were not wearing a seat belt. 

But here is what most people don’t know: While seat belts clearly prevent fatal injuries, they can also cause injuries of their own, including chest and rib injuries, internal organ damage, spinal injuries, and yes, sometimes even life-threatening injuries. 

If you have been dealing with injuries from seat belts in a car crash, you may be entitled to compensation. So below is what you need to know about how seat belt injuries happen, who may be liable, and how a Houston car accident lawyer can help. 

Understanding seat belt injuries 

 As you know, seat belts work by restraining your body during a car crash and stopping your forward momentum. And therein lies the rub. In that same crash, that same harness also places a massive amount of force across three parts of your body, namely, your chest, shoulder, and abdomen. 

It makes sense therefore that injuries from a seat belt in a car accident can be especially severe in high-speed or high-impact collisions. Humans were not designed to easily absorb that much energy. 

The medical community even has a name for it: seat belt syndrome. Seat belt syndrome refers to a specific pattern of injuries resulting from using a seat belt during an accident. This syndrome often involves injuries to the abdomen, commonly known as a “seat belt sign,” which appears as bruising or abrasions across the lap and torso areas. In severe cases, seat belt syndrome can lead to internal injuries such as bowel perforation or spinal cord injuries. 

Common types of seat belt injuries 

When you seek compensation for car accident injuries, you should consider all your injuries, including those caused by seat belts. Here are some of the most common injuries seat belts can cause in a car accident: 

• Chest and rib injuries: These can include fractured ribs, chest and sternum injuries, or bruised lungs. 
• Abrasions and lacerations: Friction burns, scrapes, or bruises often appear where the belt has pressed against the skin. 
• Internal bleeding or organ damage: Seat belts can cause trauma to the liver, spleen, bowels, or kidneys. 
• Shoulder and neck trauma: Shoulder straps can cause strains, ligament damage, or soft tissue injuries. 
• Spinal injuries: If the body is twisted or yanked by the belt, it can lead to herniated discs or even spinal cord injuries. 

Here is the tricky part: These injuries might not show up right away. Internal trauma, for example, can take hours or even days to show up. That is why immediate medical attention is essential, even if you think you are “just sore.” 

When seat belts cause more harm than good 

While seat belts are of course essential safety tools, there are times where they can actually cause or make injuries worse. For instance, that can happen when a child or smaller adult is strapped into a belt that was never designed for someone of that size. Or it might happen if the belt is worn incorrectly, say, under the arm or too loose.  

Similarly, if the seat belt itself malfunctions and fails to remain locked during the crash, injuries are not uncommon And sometimes it is not the device that fails, it is just the sheer brute force of the accident; in high-speed collisions, the human body simply cannot absorb that sort of momentum. And consider: In some cases, the damage continues after the crash. In rollovers for instance, seat belts can cause spinal trauma simply by holding the body in a twisted or compressed position for too long. 

So, who is to blame if you were injured by a seat belt that worked, or failed to work? It may even be that more than one party at fault, including the carmaker or the company that made the belt. Sorting all of this out is why consulting with a seasoned personal injury attorney is vital. 

Proving liability in a seat belt injury case 

If you were injured in a car crash and your seat belt contributed to your injuries, your lawyer will first need to establish that another party was at fault for the crash. This could involve a negligent driver, or in the case of a defective seat belt, a manufacturer, or possibly a combination of both. 

Proving that seat belt injuries occurred can be challenging. Insurance companies might try to argue that your injuries were unrelated to the seat belt or were pre-existing. That is why a prompt medical diagnosis and thorough documentation can make or break the case. In certain cases, your attorney may also consult a “biomechanical expert” to explain how your injuries happened and how the seat belt contributed to them. 

Armed with this evidence, your lawyer can then build a strong case and pursue full compensation, be it through initial settlement negotiations or by filing a lawsuit. 

Compensation for seat belt-related injuries 

If you were injured by a seat belt, you may be entitled to compensation, and that compensation should cover more than just your ER visit. A claim like this can include medical bills, lost wages, long-term disability, and even the emotional toll of what you have been through. 

Your car accident attorney will likely begin with an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s provider. If the insurer tries to dispute your seat belt injuries or the severity of your losses, your lawyer can provide evidence of the extent of your injuries, the necessary treatment, and other effects.  

If an insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your lawyer can escalate the case by filing a lawsuit against the negligent driver. The driver who caused your crash should be responsible for all your injuries, period. 

How a Houston car accident attorney can help 

If you suffered a seat belt injury in a Texas car accident, you do not have to deal with it alone. Contact Armstrong Lee & Baker LLP for a free consultation and case evaluation. We can help you understand your rights, assess your injuries, and pursue the compensation you deserve. 

Call (832) 402-6637 or send us a message online to get started. If you would like more information or to schedule a free consultation, please don’t hesitate to use our online form.

Scott Armstrong

Scott Armstrong obtains remarkable results for his clients. He has successfully tried numerous cases to favorable verdicts and reached significant settlements on his clients’ behalf, recovering millions for them. Our lawyers have 25+ years of combined experience.

Scott is known for his aggressive approach to every case. He has been recognized as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers, an accolade awarded to only 2.5% of attorneys under forty and practicing for less than ten years. Houstonia Magazine, H-Texas Magazine, and others have recognized Scott as a “top lawyer” in Houston.

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