Seat Belt Injury Involved in U.S. 50 Accident

Seat Belt Injury Involved in U.S. 50 Accident

In Sacramento on August 28, one man suffered a seat belt injury in a collision with two other vehicles along U.S. 50 westbound near the 16th Street off-ramp. The accident, which happened shortly after 10:00 in the morning, involved a Nissan Sentra, black SUV, and a large white truck. The man who was driving the Sentra reported to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) that the seat belt had injured his chest, and he was transported to Sutter Medical Center by emergency responders for further evaluation. A seat belt injury can be significant, inflicting harm on the individual involved. Let’s look at some of the reasons seat belt injuries occur. We’ll also look at the legal implications these injuries are associated with.

What a Lawyer Can Do for You in A Seat Belt Injury

If you are injured due to seat belt failure or a defect in its manufacture, you may have the right to be compensated for your injuries. Our firm dispatches an investigative team to the accident scene. There, they look for evidence as to why the problem happened and who was at fault in the accident. We also interview witnesses to the crash, review the police report for accuracy, and put together all data pertinent to the accident. Once this is done, we turn it over to our legal team. The lawyers will use this information to build a strong case against the defendant. We use this in negotiations with the insurance company and incorporate it into a civil lawsuit if needed. 

Importance of Seat Belts

No one can deny the importance of using a seat belt properly. Seat belts save nearly 20,000 lives annually. Children are especially susceptible, and hundreds of young people are injured when they are not using a seat belt. This is often because the child is not secured properly in the car. Seat belt laws in California have reduced the number of injuries, yet there are a consistent group of drivers who fail to buckle up. It is vital that the seat belt fits properly. It should be snug in the pelvic area (hip area). For some drivers, the seat belts are too small. This can lead to problems, and contacting one’s dealership is a good way to make sure your seat belt is sized to fit you. 

Seat Belt Injury

People may argue about the effectiveness of seat belts, but the evidence points to the fact they save lives. However, as with everything, there are problems or defects associated with seat belts. When this exists, injuries can occur. One of the organs commonly injured by a seat belt are the kidneys. The pressure from the strap can damage the kidney and cause serious problems later on. These include hypertension and inability to control urine flow. It is essential to be seen by a medical professional. Your attorney can use your doctor’s records to build a strong case if the kidneys are injured.

Cause of Seat Belt Failure

Seat belts often fail during a crash. This results in significant injury and death. However, the at-fault driver’s insurance company as well the vehicle manufacturer may insist that the injured party was not wearing a seat belt. If the problem resulted from a faulty seat belt, the manufacturer can be considered responsible, and a product liability lawsuit can be filed. Our firm uses several techniques to prove that not only was our client wearing a seat belt but that the harness failed to provide adequate protection. Some aspects of seat belt failure are:

  • False latching: This occurs when the latch is faulty and tricks the driver into thinking they were buckled up since it can appear to be fastened in place. The force of impact will cause the latch to become loose and expose the driver or occupant to injury or death.
  • Lack of retraction: The seat belt is often built to retract when needed. This tightens the belt and prevents injury. Sometimes, this function is not in working order, and the user is injured.
  • Bad construction: The fabric used to build the seat belt must be strong enough to withstand the motion of the user’s body upon impact.

Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Accident injuries can occur in ways other than a negligent driver. If you were injured due to a defective product, you may be able to obtain fair compensation for those injuries. Give me a call at (916) 921-6400 for my free and friendly advice. If you are calling long-distance, I can be reached at (800) 404-5400, which is a toll-free line. I can also be contacted by filling out our short online form.

I’ve been honored to have helped Northern Californians for more than 37 years to obtain fair compensation for their injuries. Areas I work in include wrongful deaths, traffic crashes, and traumatic injuries, among others.

Learn what prior clients have had to say about my law firm and look over cases we have handled at:

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