The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that wearing a seatbelt can reduce the risk of moderate to fatal injury by 50%. They also say that fastening your seatbelt lowers the chance of fatality by 45%.
Did you know that you can develop bruises from a seat belt? During a crash, the seatbelt tightens around the body, damaging soft tissue and small blood vessels beneath the skin where the seatbelt made contact. The injuries you have sustained from wearing a seatbelt are commonly known as “seatbelt syndrome.”
In North Carolina, the state law requires all car passengers to wear a seat belt. Keep in mind that this law does not apply to vehicles that do not have built-in safety belts.
This article will give an overview of seatbelt syndrome and its implications for individuals involved in a car crash.
Understanding the Mechanics of Seat Belt Injuries
You protect yourself when on the road by fastening your seat belt when driving.
Seat belts usually restrain you into a position to prevent you from being ejected from the vehicle and to minimize body movement during an automatic crash incident. The impact of a car crash can result in severe injuries, including external bruising or internal damage. The usual areas affected by the injury are the belly, chest, neck, and even shoulders.
Seatbelt injuries may deter people from wearing seatbelts, but proper wearing of seatbelts lowers the risk of death and other serious injuries.
According to the Law Office of Geoffrey D. Kearney, PLLC, understanding the facts behind proper seatbelt use can save your life and educate you on the dangers of not wearing one.
Common Types of Seat Belt-Related Injuries
One common injury that vehicle passengers sustain following a car crash includes seatbelt abrasions. This type of injury occurs when the skin rubs against the belt, resulting in cuts or bruises. Shoulder injuries, such as strains and a dislocated shoulder, happen when the seat belt suddenly locks in place.
Abdominal injuries happen when the seatbelt is positioned too high on the stomach instead of resting across the pelvis, or when excessive force from a crash causes internal damage due to sudden compression.
In most accidents, a sudden stop causes the head to jerk forward, straining the neck area. The outcome is a very common injury known as “whiplash.” If the belt does not fit properly or a person tumbles against the belt during an accident, it may result in broken ribs or collar bones.
Factors That Increase the Risk of Seat Belt Injuries
An inappropriate or defective seat belt increases the risk of injury in a car accident. Shorter people tend to fit poorly in seat belts for proper restraint. This can increase the risk of injuries if the belt sits too high or does not fit snugly across the lap and shoulder.
The force and speed of the collision influence the likelihood and severity of the injury. Slouching reduces the effectiveness of the belt and increases the risk for injuries.
Intoxication, either by drugs or alcohol, can significantly impair reflexes and contribute to accidents. Driving while intoxicated increases the risk of sustaining seat belt-related injuries.
Best Practices for Safe Seat Belt Use
If you wear the seatbelt incorrectly, it may not guarantee your safety in an accident.
The seat belt must be secure over the chest and the lap. The lap belt should lie low on the hips and never over the stomach. The shoulder belt crosses the collarbone but should never rest on the neck.
Buckle the seatbelt before reaching for the ignition key and insist that other passengers do the same. Children must always be placed in a car seat suitable for their age/weight.
Do not adjust your seatbelt while driving. If you need to adjust your seatbelt, find a safe place to stop your vehicle first.
Examine the webbing and latch every now and then. Replace or contact your vehicle’s manufacturer if you notice any damage or wear.
The Role of Vehicle Design in Seat Belt Safety
Vehicles are designed to protect people inside through various safety features, including the seatbelt.
Modern cars come equipped with separate crumple zones that catch the impact and reduce the transfer of force to the occupants. The positioning of the seatbelts, buckles, and latches themselves influences the effectiveness of holding you down during an accident.
Pretensioners and load limiters assist in tightening the seat belt during a car crash to reduce injuries. Another important safety feature of cars is their overall structure, which distributes weight and improves stability.
Use your seat belt properly by correctly strapping them. Familiarize yourself with the safety features of your vehicle so that the chances of injuries in an accident are minimized.
