Most injuries that occur during car accidents result from not wearing a seat belt. Seat belts are designed to keep you secure in your seat, which reduces the risk of being thrown from the vehicle or sustaining severe injuries.
However, if not worn correctly, seat belts can cause injuries. The most common type of seat belt injury is called “submarining,” which occurs when the lap portion of the belt slides up over your pelvis during a collision. This can cause severe abdominal injuries, as well as internal bleeding.
Seat belt injuries can also occur due to wearing loose shoulder straps. If the shoulder strap is not tight enough, it can slide off your shoulder during a collision, leaving you vulnerable to neck and head injuries.
Three main types of seat belt injuries can occur during a car accident:
- Submarining: This occurs when the seat belt’s lap portion slides up over your pelvis during a collision. This can cause serious abdominal injuries, as well as internal bleeding.
- Shoulder strap: If the shoulder strap is not tight enough, it can slide off your shoulder during a collision and leave you vulnerable to neck and head injuries.
- Neck injuries: Seat belts can also cause whiplash and other neck injuries if worn incorrectly. Whiplash is a neck injury when the head is quickly jerked forward and backward.
Proper Placement of Seat Belts
Even though there is a chance a seat belt can cause an injury, the benefits outweigh the cons. Wearing a seat belt is one of the most important things you can do while driving. You can protect yourself from serious injuries in an accident by wearing a seat belt.
To make sure that your seat belt is effective, it is essential to wear it correctly. The lap portion of the seat belt should be worn low and snug across your hips. The shoulder strap should be adjusted to be tight across your chest and not loose. Finally, adjust your seat so that the headrest is in line with the top of your head.
Our Monmouth County Car Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael S. Williams Can Help After a Crash
Getting into a car accident is scary enough. If you have been injured in a car accident, speak with our experienced New Jersey car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael S. Williams. Call us today at 732-351-2800 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. With offices conveniently located in Tinton Falls and New Brunswick, New Jersey we serve clients in Monmouth and Middlesex County and throughout the state.
