Seat Belt Injuries After a Car Accident in California

Seat belts are designed to protect you during a crash, but seat belt injuries can happen in a California car accident when the body is forced against the safety belt during the impact of the collision. After the accident, you may experience bruising, chest pain, abdominal discomfort, or pain and wonder if these injuries are serious or if they could be the basis for a car accident injury claim. The answer to this question may depend on how the collision occurred, the type of injury, and any medical evidence linking the injury to the accident.

Some seat belt injuries may be visible immediately, while others, such as some internal injuries, may take time to become noticeable. Your seat belt use may also be relevant when determining compensation after a car accident in California. Understanding California seat belt laws, potential injuries, and how seat belt use can affect an injury claim can help you understand your legal options after an accident.

Common Injuries Caused by Seat Belts After a Car Crash

A seat belt can protect a passenger from being thrown forward or out of the car during a crash, but the sudden force of a collision can also cause significant stress on the body. The type and severity of seat belt injuries can depend on the direction of the collision, the force of the impact, and how the belt was fastened.

How can seat belts cause injuries in accidents?

When a car suddenly stops, the seat belt slows down and restrains the body. During an accident, the body continues to move forward due to the force of the collision. The seat belt absorbs some of that momentum and protects the occupant from hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, or other parts of the car. This sudden restraint can sometimes cause injuries due to seat belts, especially in high-speed or severe collisions.

Sudden collisions and body movement

When a car suddenly stops, the occupant's body continues to move until it is restrained by the seat belt. The greater the force of the collision, the more force can be transferred through the belt. This can result in soreness, pain, or more serious injuries to the parts of the body where the belt touches.

Pressure on the lap and shoulder belts

The lap belt rests on the lower abdomen or waist, while the shoulder belt rests on the chest and shoulders. During a collision, both parts tighten to restrain the occupant. This pressure can cause chest injuries, abdominal injuries, shoulder injuries, or soft tissue damage. Wearing a seat belt incorrectly can also increase the risk of injury, as it may not distribute the force of a collision properly.

How seat belts work with airbags

Seat belts and airbags are designed to work together as part of a vehicle's occupant protection system. The seat belt helps to hold the occupant in place, while the airbag provides additional protection during a collision. Airbags are not intended to be a substitute for seat belts. Without proper restraints, the occupant may be thrown into a position where the airbag cannot provide the protection it is intended to provide.

Why it is still important to wear a seat belt

While seat belts can prevent certain injuries, not wearing them can lead to more serious consequences for the occupant, including being thrown inboard or being ejected from the vehicle. Properly worn seat belts help keep occupants safe and can reduce the risk of serious injury in many collisions. According to California DMV guidelines, both lap belts and shoulder belts are recommended for proper use during a collision.

California Seat Belt Law: Vehicle Code §27315

California law defines what constitutes proper restraint in a specific way. According to Vehicle Code §27315(d)(2), the lap portion of the belt shall cross the waist or upper thighs of the occupant, and the shoulder portion (if any) shall cross in front of the occupant's chest. This means that if the belt is not properly positioned, simply having a belt around the body may not meet the legal requirement.

This law also addresses the condition of the seat belt. If a vehicle is originally equipped with seat belts, they must be in working order and in good condition, as per Vehicle Code §27315(f).

There are some limited exceptions to this. For example, the law provides an exception for certain individuals who have a special physical or medical condition that prevents them from being properly restrained and requires the provision of a medical certificate. Other specific legal exceptions may also apply, depending on the vehicle and the circumstances.

Since seat belt use can be relevant in personal injury cases, Vehicle Code §27315 may also be considered when a defendant raises a seat belt defense.

Can a Seat Belt Injury Affect a California Car Accident Claim?

It is not that an injured person cannot automatically file a California car accident claim simply because they have been injured by a seat belt. A key issue is determining the cause of the collision and establishing what injuries were sustained as a result of the collision. For example, the accident may have been caused by the negligence of another driver, while the severity of the collision and the safety of the seat belt may have contributed to the specific injuries.

To support a car accident injury claim, the injured person will typically need evidence linking the claimed injuries to the accident. Medical records may document the diagnosis, treatment, symptoms, and progression of any injuries. Other necessary evidence may include accident reports, photographs of the vehicle and visible injuries, diagnostic imaging or tests, medical bills, and witness statements.

The matter can become even more complicated if the defendant claims that the injured person was not wearing a seat belt or was not properly secured. The Judicial Council of California CACI No. 712, ‘Active Defense—Failure to Wear a Seat Belt,’ identifies several facts relevant to this defense. These include whether there was an effective seat belt, whether a reasonably careful person would have worn it, whether it was not worn, and whether its use would have prevented or mitigated the injuries claimed.

Can not wearing a seat belt reduce your compensation?

Not wearing a seat belt can be an issue in a California car accident claim, but that doesn’t mean the injured party automatically loses their right to seek compensation. A defendant can raise a seat belt defense by arguing that the injured party failed to use an available seat belt and that failure increased the severity of the injury.

California CACI No. 712, “Active Defense—Failure to Wear a Seat Belt,” identifies several factors that a defendant must prove. These include showing that an effective seat belt was available, that a reasonably careful person would have used it, that the plaintiff did not use it, and that the use of a seat belt would have prevented or reduced the severity of the injuries claimed.

This means that it is not just a matter of whether someone was wearing a seat belt. The evidence must also include the cause and extent of the injury. For example, medical evidence or expert testimony may be relevant to determining whether the proper use of a seat belt would have prevented or reduced the severity of a particular injury.

California Vehicle Law §27315 may also be considered when evaluating whether a reasonably cautious person should have used a seat belt. However, the mere existence of a seat belt violation does not prove negligence for comparative-fault purposes.

What should you do after a seat belt injury?

If you have pain, bruising, or other symptoms after an accident, taking quick action can help protect both your health and your car accident injury compensation claim.

1. Seek medical attention:See a doctor after an accident, especially if you have chest pain, abdominal pain, neck or back pain, dizziness, or other worrisome symptoms. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
2. Report the accident:Report the collision to the appropriate authorities and make sure the accident is documented. Police or accident reports can later provide valuable information about how the accident occurred.
3. Save medical records and bills:Save medical records, diagnostic results, prescriptions, medical notes, and bills. These documents can help determine the nature of your seat belt injury, the treatment received, and the costs associated with the injury.
4. Take pictures of your injuries:Take clear pictures of any visible bruises, marks, swelling, or other injuries. If possible, document how the injuries are changing as they heal.
5. Preserve evidence of the accident:Take pictures of the damaged vehicle, seat belts, the accident scene, and other relevant evidence. Do not repair or throw away potentially important parts of the vehicle before properly documenting them.
6. Be careful with insurance companies:Provide accurate information about the accident, but avoid making any statements that could be assumed or misunderstood about your injuries. Keep copies of correspondence and documents related to the claim.
7. Seek legal advice for serious injuries:If the accident resulted in serious injuries, ongoing medical treatment, loss of income, or a dispute over the use of a seat belt, discussing the claim with a California personal injury lawyer can help you understand the legal options available to you.

Compensation for Seat Belt Injuries in California

If a car accident is caused by the negligence of another person and the collision results in an injury caused by the seat belt, the injured person may seek compensation for the damages caused by the injury. The amount and type of compensation available depends on the facts of the case, the severity of the injury, and the evidence available.

California law generally allows for the recovery of damages legally caused by the wrongful conduct of another person, subject to applicable rules and limitations. In a personal injury claim, the evidence must connect the damages claimed to the accident and the resulting injuries.

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions About Seat Belt Injuries