Queens Seat Belt Failure Injury

It has been over 30 years since New York required people to wear seat belts in cars. Since then seat belts have saved countless lives and have prevent even more people from suffering serious injuries such as a head or brain injury, broken or crushed bones, lacerations from broken glass, and a back or spinal cord injury. However, there are also cases where seat belts have caused serious injuries or even death. In still other cases, the malfunctioning of a seat belt contributed to a victim's injuries. If you are in need of a New York Injury Lawyer because you were seriously injured in a car accident caused by a seat belt, it is important that you immediately contact a Queens Seat Belt Failure Injury Lawyer as you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering in a product liability claim, personal injury claim, or in a wrongful death claim.

In a vehicle accident, the car, truck, SUV or other vehicle comes to a sudden stop. The seat belt is designed to restrain the occupant who is moving because of the force of the collision. As a result the seat belt typically prevents the person from suffering a serious injury. However, the pressure of the seatbelt against the body sometimes causes serious injuries. Furthermore, there are cases where seat belt malfunction, improper seat belt use contribute to injury.

Seat belt injuries typically affect the chest or abdominal area. Common injuries include abrasions in the area where the body came in contact with the seat belt. Sternal or breastbone fractures are also associated with seat belt use. Shoulder injuries and neck injuries are also common car accident injuries that are caused by seat belt use. In the most serious cases the seat belt caused the victim to suffer a myocardial contusions—a bruise to the heart—that eventually resulted in the victim's death.

Some seat belt injuries are caused because the seat belt was defective. In such cases the injury was not caused by the seat belt itself, but because the seat belt failed to function properly. As a result, the victim was not properly restrained and suffered injuries that he or she would not have suffered had the seat belt functioned properly.

If you were injured by a seat belt or because of a seat belt failure, you may be entitled to compensation. If your seat belt injury was caused because the seat belt malfunctioned or because it was defectively designed, then the car manufacturer or seat belt manufacturer may be legally liable for your injuries. If you are injured by a properly designed and properly functioning seat belt, you cause of action would be against the person responsible for the car accident.

Victims of seat belt injuries often face significant medical expenses including fees associated with emergency room treatment, the hospital stay, treatment by doctors, physical therapy, assistive equipment, and medication. To make matters worse, while you are recovering you will not be able to work and earn an income to pay for your medical expenses and support your family.

Through a personal injury or product liability claim you may be able to recover compensation for your losses. For example, you may be able to recover both past and future medical expenses including hospital bills, expenses for surgery, rehabilitation fees, and fees for prescription medication. Furthermore, you may be able to recover both lost wages, loss of future earning capacity and pain and suffering.

Beware that New York law has a specific time limit for filing a claim in a personal injury case. If you do not file your claim within the time period, you will be forever barred from collecting damages even if your case has merit.

If you were involved in a car accident where a seat belt contributed to injuries, it is important to immediately contact an experienced car accident attorney. Accidents that involve problems with seat belts are complex, requiring both knowledge of personal injury law and the ability to interpret medical records. Contact Stephen Bilkis and Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling claims resulting from car accidents, truck accidents, SUV accidents, as well as other types of vehicle accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case.