Have you been injured in a car accident?

Our Car Accident Help site is designed to be a one-stop source for anyone who has suffered personal injuries in a car crash. It is also a helpful resource for someone whose loved one has been injured in an Oklahoma car crash. Speak to one of our representatives at (405) 285-4357 if you have any questions, or fill out our form to get your free, instant, no obligation accident analysis. We have Oklahoma car accident attorneys on staff who know the law and can defend your rights.

Oklahoma Seatbelt Injury Lawyers

Seatbelt Injuries in an Auto Accident

As drivers and passengers, we take for granted the ability of seatbelts to prevent injuries and save lives. Unfortunately, seatbelts can also be capable of causing serious injuries in a crash. If you have sustained seat belt injuries in an auto accident, it is in your best interests to speak with a knowledgeable Oklahoma car accident attorney as soon as possible.

Types of Seat Belt Injuries

There are a number of injuries commonly caused by seatbelts, including:

  • Spinal Injuries: Serious injuries can result from severe flexion of the torso over a lap seatbelt. In a high impact collision, this can cause tearing and fractures involving horizontal separation and splitting of the posterior vertebral arch.
  • Internal Injuries: Trauma to the abdomen can commonly incur from a seatbelt injury. Seatbelts can cause perforation of the small intestine and injury to organs in the abdominal cavity. Multiple internal injuries are common with seatbelt trauma.
  • Neck, Sternum, Ribs, and Upper Abdominal Injuries: Diagonal seatbelts and combination lap and diagonal belts prevent the lap flexion fractures caused by lap belts alone, but may cause flexion injuries in the neck and injury to the sternum, ribs, and upper abdomen.

Symptoms of Seatbelt Trauma After an Auto Accident

In the immediate aftermath of an accident, seatbelt injuries may not be obvious right away. Signs and symptoms that may indicate seatbelt trauma include:

  • Internal Bleeding: Seatbelt compression on the organs can cause damage to the urinary tract or bladder, endometriosis, or colon obstruction. Blood in the urine or stools may indicate such damage, while coughing up blood is an indication of damage to the respiratory tract or stomach.
  • Weakness: Damage to the lower back, spinal nerves, or abdomen can cause weakness in the legs. General weakness may also be a sign of internal injuries.
  • Neck Stiffness: Seatbelts can cause whiplash and neck injuries. See a doctor as soon as possible if you experience neck pain or restricted motion.
  • Respiratory and Heart Problems: The force of a seatbelt restraining a moving individual can cause damage to the chest, lungs, or heart. Seek medical attention immediately if you have trouble breathing after a crash.

While properly working seatbelts can prevent fatalities and serious injuries, defective seatbelts can actually be very dangerous. Unfortunately, victims often fail to pursue compensation because of the general expectation that seat belts are there to protect us. In addition, it can be very difficult to prove that a defective seatbelt was the cause of your injury.

Seatbelts fail for a number of reasons, including torn or prematurely worn material, failure of the retractor, and poor design. It will often be necessary to have an expert examine the seat belt system to determine the exact cause, so it’s important that you preserve the vehicle and seatbelt before allowing any repairs.

If you have suffered seatbelt injuries in an automobile accident, you will need legal representation to help you recover fair compensation for your injuries. In many cases, you’ll find that you are not alone in being injured by a particular seatbelt system. Oftentimes, such incidents are part of a larger problem affecting multiple victims and the best way to approach the case will be a mass tort/class action.

The Oklahoma car accident attorneys at Car Accident Help can provide the high quality representation you need. Contact us today at (405) 285-4357 to discuss your case and get started on the process of ensuring that you receive all the compensation you deserve.

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Getting Support for Your Car Accident

The period after a car collision can be devastating and chaotic for crash victims and their families. This is the time when you can use all the support and resources you can get. The team at Car Accident Help are committed to providing you with the information and resources you need during these challenging times. If there are any questions you may have or want to know your legal rights, contact us today for a free initial evaluation to see if you have a case.

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Who We Are

The team at CarAccidentHelp.com created this site to provide a resource to those who have just been in an accident and need someone on their side. The insurance companies are not looking out for your best interests and you need an advocate who knows the laws in Oklahoma and will fight for you. We help you figure out if filing a lawsuit is right for your situation, and connect you with lawyers who can determine if you have a case.

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OKC Seatbelt Injury Attorney Disclaimer: This web site is designed to provide educational information. The injury information contained in this web site is not intended to offer legal advice. Information contained in this web site is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship, nor does it constitute legal advice, to any person reviewing such information. No electronic communication with Car Accident Help, or any employees thereof, will generate an attorney client relationship, nor will it be considered an attorney-client privileged communication. Any reference in this web site to past results for clients obtained by Car Accident Help, including reference to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, does not guarantee that similar outcomes will be achieved for future cases. Each case is different, and must be evaluated and handled based on its individual attributes and merits.

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