Erie, Pennsylvania Car Accident Seatbelt Injury Lawyers

With Over 20 Years of Experience as a Personal Injury Attorney, Jed Dietrich, Esq. is Prepared to Represent Individuals in Erie, Pennsylvania, Who Have Been Injured as a Result of Car Accidents.

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Seatbelts reduce fatal injuries in motor vehicle accidents by 43%. The United States sees over 30,000 fatalities due to motor vehicle collisions each year. While seatbelts are life-saving and critical safety features, they can still cause injuries that impact an individual’s way of life.

At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., we understand the life-changing effects of personal injury. Any accident that results in an injury can permanently alter your way of life. As such, the importance of finding the right representative for your personal injury case cannot be overstated.

What Is a Seatbelt Injury?

A seatbelt injury may sound straightforward, but the term, in fact, includes multiple types of physical trauma. According to the National Library of Medicine, a seatbelt injury is “a group of common injury profiles associated with the use of seatbelts.” This type of injury can be anything from bruising in minor cases to more severe injuries such as fractures or damage to the victim’s internal organs.

Why does this happen? In a typical motor vehicle accident, a car collides with another car, animal, or stationary object, such as a guard rail or wall. The force of the impact generated by the collision creates energy that is then sent into a motor vehicle and its occupants. The function of the seatbelt is to disperse that energy and lessen the impact of a crash. Modern seatbelt design has three points of contact with the human body: at the shoulder, across the chest, and across the waist. This three-point harness is designed to hold the body in place in the event of an accident. It prevents any outside impact that an occupant could encounter if they were ejected from the vehicle. The harness, or seatbelt, also lessens the force of a crash by distributing energy across the three points of contact with the body.

If you or a loved one are facing injuries due to a car accident and are unsure what action steps to take, a personal injury attorney can provide the guidance you need. At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., our team of experienced Erie, Pennsylvania, car accident injury attorneys can assist you every step of the way. Let us represent you in your case–you do not have to fight this alone! Call today at (814) 839-3939 or visit us online to begin your free consultation. You will never be charged until we secure the highest possible compensation for you!

Injuries and Symptoms

Seatbelt injuries vary in their location on the body and degree of severity. The three points of contact that a seatbelt has with the human body–the shoulder/neck, chest, and abdomen–are the most likely sites of seatbelt related injuries in the event of a motor vehicle accident. The most common seatbelt injuries include:

1. Bruising: A bruise or contusion occurs when the blood vessels break under the skin, usually as a result of blunt force trauma. The area around a bruise can swell or be tender to the touch for several days or weeks, depending upon the severity of the injury.
2. Internal Injuries: The organs beneath the seatbelt’s lower strap can be severely damaged or possibly ruptured by a seatbelt in the event of a car accident.
3. Fractures: In some instances, the restrictive force of a seatbelt can be powerful enough to fracture bones. The spine, ribs, and sternum are at risk for this type of injury.
4. Neck Injuries: If the seatbelt rests against the side of the neck rather than against the shoulder, damage to the neck can occur in the event of a car accident. Injuries can include bruising, fractures, disc herniations or bulges, and damage to the windpipe and esophagus.

It is important to remember that just as each body is unique, no car accident is the same, and the injuries sustained by the individuals involved in an accident will be different. Jed Dietrich, Esq. has worked as a personal injury attorney for over two decades. In that time, he has won countless cases for his clients. If you are the victim of a car accident in Erie, Pennsylvania, that resulted in a personal injury, reach out to the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. today by calling us at (814) 839-3939 or visiting us online to schedule your free consultation.

Why Do We Need Seatbelts?

In 1966, seatbelts became mandatory for all motor vehicles under Title 49 of United States federal law. However, it was not until 1984 that motor vehicle occupants were legally required by law to wear seatbelts. Before the introduction of the seatbelt, fatalities in car accidents were a tragically common occurrence.

While a seatbelt may not prevent injury to passengers, it does lessen the likelihood that a fatality will occur in the event of a car accident. Without the use of a seatbelt, the victims of motor vehicle accidents are nearly 50% more likely to suffer a fatal injury. That means that any time you or a loved one are involved in a car accident, you are close to 50% less likely to suffer a fatality if you wear your seatbelt.

Just as a medical professional is consulted in the event of a personal injury, consulting with a lawyer in the event of an accident is critical. At the Dietrich Law Firm, P.C., our team of top rated personal injury lawyers are among the best in their field when it comes to motor vehicle accidents. Their expert legal advice has led to over $175 million dollars in settlements and verdicts obtained for clients suffering from personal injuries.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at (814) 839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Erie, Pennsylvania. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

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