New Jersey Seatbelt Injury Attorney

Sadly, approximately 55% of vehicle fatalities affect drivers and/or passengers who aren’t wearing seatbelts at the time of impact.  However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that passengers who use a seat belt while riding in the back seat are about 44% less likely to be killed than individuals who aren’t wearing a seatbelt at the time of a serious car accident, and the percentage is even greater for passengers in the backseat of SUVs.  Still, even with such persuasive proof of a seatbelt’s effectiveness, any New Jersey seatbelt injury attorney will tell you that the very device that has saved lives has also been the same one that has caused major injuries in a lot of cases.

The Types of Injuries Caused by Seatbelts

Some of the injuries that can be created by seatbelts are:

  • Whiplash
  • Pinched nerves
  • Various injuries to the abdominal area
  • Injuries to the internal organs, as well as internal bleeding
  • Injuries to the spinal cord (which can end in irreversible paralysis)

Even though the safety value of vehicle seatbelts has been clearly demonstrated, the seatbelt itself has the ability to bring about major injuries to the spine and intra-abdominal areas during sudden impact.  In fact, your New Jersey seatbelt injury attorney is probably well aware of the fact that recent literature regarding seatbelt injuries has shown an increased number of injuries to the abdomen, spine, and pelvis.  Additionally, with respect to lap belts, there has been increased discussion about the occurrence of serious spine injuries.

Call an Attorney if You’ve Been Hurt by a Seatbelt

If you or a loved one has had the misfortune of sustaining a seat belt injury during a motor vehicle accident, you should know that you might be eligible to receive compensation for your injuries and any losses sustained due to those injuries. If you have yet to contact an attorney, you should do so today in order to preserve your rights.  Please call New Jersey seatbelt injury attorney Dan Matrafajlo at 908-248-4404 today so that you can receive a free consultation regarding your case.