Assessing Seat Belt Bruises After a Car Accident

Seat belts save countless lives yearly by preventing vehicle occupants from being ejected during crashes. However, the force exerted by a seat belt during a collision can also cause bruising and other injuries. When you suffer seat belt bruises, you should seek help from an Atlanta car accident lawyer like John Foy & Associates who have secured over one million in verdicts and settlements.

Understanding what seat belt bruising is and how you can recognize it is beneficial. By educating yourself, you are helping yourself and your loved ones in the long run. By knowing the signs, you can take the steps toward possible compensation for what you have endured.

The Proper Definition of Seat Belt Syndrome

Seat belt syndrome refers to the range of injuries that can be caused by a seat belt during a car crash. These injuries most commonly occur along the path where the seat belt restrains the body, including the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Bruising is one of the most frequent outcomes when someone experiences seat belt syndrome.

The forces involved in a car accident can cause the seat belt to constrict against the body very tightly. This pressure, while restraining the body and preventing more serious injuries, can damage the soft tissue and small blood vessels under the skin, resulting in a bruise. Seat belt bruising can range from mild surface discoloration to deep contusions involving the underlying muscle.

While seat belt bruising itself is usually not life-threatening, it can sometimes be a sign of more serious internal injuries. For this reason, it’s vital to get a thorough medical evaluation after any significant car accident. You should get an evaluation even if your only visible injury is a seat belt bruise.

Signs of Seat Belt Bruises After a Car Accident

Seat belt bruises typically appear as linear contusions running diagonally across the chest and abdomen, following the path of the shoulder and lap belts. It’s important to know that these aren’t the only signs. Other signs of seat belt bruising may include:

• Tenderness, pain, or swelling along the bruise
• Discoloration of the skin (red or purple)
• Bruised or fractured ribs
• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Difficulty breathing

If you notice any of these symptoms after a car accident, contact your doctor or emergency room right away. Some seat belt injuries like fractured ribs or internal organ damage may not be immediately apparent. Don’t assume a bruise is your only injury without getting checked out by a doctor.

Common Seat Belt Injury Treatment

Treatment for seat belt bruising depends on the severity of the contusion. For minor bruising, your doctor may recommend rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers to manage swelling and discomfort as you heal. More severe bruising may require prescription medications, physical therapy, or other interventions.

If your seat belt bruising is accompanied by fractured ribs, you may need to wear a compression bandage around your chest to stabilize the area while the bones heal. Holding a pillow against your chest when you cough can help minimize pain. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to repair a severely fractured rib.

Your doctor will also check for signs of internal injuries like organ damage or internal bleeding. Additional imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs may be used to rule out or diagnose these more serious seat belt injuries. Treatment could involve surgery, blood transfusions, medications, or other intensive care, which means more medical bills that can soon pile up.

Potential Liable Parties for Seat Belt Bruising

If your seat belt bruising was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim or lawsuit to recover damages. You have to have proof as to who was at fault, though. Potentially liable parties could include:

• The at-fault driver
• The at-fault driver’s employer (if they were driving a company vehicle or acting within the scope of their job duties at the time of the crash)
• A vehicle or parts manufacturer (if a defect contributed to your injuries)
• A government entity (if poor road conditions played a role)

A car accident attorney in Atlanta can help you investigate the cause of the crash and identify all potential sources of liability and insurance coverage. Be sure to document your injuries carefully and save copies of accident reports, medical records, and other relevant evidence.

When to Consider a Lawsuit for Seatbelt Bruising

If your seat belt injuries are severe, require extensive medical treatment, and lead to significant pain and suffering, lost wages, or other damages, it may be in your best interest to pursue a legal claim. You should not have to pay for the damages someone else has caused; however, you will need to follow the proper protocol to see if you can get the damages covered. Georgia law allows car accident victims to seek compensation when they are injured by someone else’s careless or reckless actions behind the wheel.

However, not every seat belt bruise will warrant a lawsuit. If your injuries are relatively minor and heal quickly, the cost and time involved in litigation may not be worth the potential recovery. An attorney can review the specific facts of your case and advise you on your legal options.

When considering how long you have to file a lawsuit after a car accident, It’s important to act quickly. Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations for most car accident lawsuits. If you wait too long to get started, you could lose your right to seek compensation altogether. 

Get the Help You Need After a Seat Belt Injury

Don’t hesitate to reach out for help when you are facing seat belt injuries. A compassionate Atlanta car accident attorney is here to guide you through the legal process. Our John Foy & Associates team fights for the compensation you need and deserve.

We offer free initial consultations so you can get answers to your questions and learn about your rights with no obligation. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment. With our legal team on your side, you can focus on your physical recovery.