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Lawyers for Seatbelt Injuries Auto Accident Claims: Chicago, Illinois
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) discovered that over fifty-one percent of car crash victims avoided death because they were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.
While seat belts might prevent deaths, the serious injuries resulting from seat belts' restraint have only recently been studied.
Illinois law affords any individual injured by a seatbelt to recover compensation for their injuries from the party who caused the collision.
Hiring a Vehicle Accident Seatbelt Injury Attorney can Help
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC frequently assists people with seatbelt injuries in Chicago auto accidents obtain the compensation they are entitled to receive. Our Illinois auto accident lawyers can help you assert your legal rights if you have received a seat belt injury.
We are ready to guide you through the legal process and take the time to meet with you to discuss your legal options. Please feel free to fill out our online form or call us for more information to receive a free case review.
A Victim's Legal Rights
Individuals injured by seat belts have legal rights. Just because a seat belt might have saved an individual's life does not mean that person is prevented from recovery for injuries resulting from that seat belt during the crash.
The seatbelt and the victim's car might have a manufacturing or design defect. All companies involved in the manufacturing and distribution chain might be liable for the damages suffered by drivers and passengers.
Vehicle Accident Seatbelt Injury FAQs
Seat Belt Injury Facts and Statistics
In serious car accidents, seat belts might restrain individuals if they reach speeds over 100 m.p.h. The results of a crash at excessive speeds could leave individuals with whiplash, severed limbs, and other serious injuries.
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) published a report finding that thousands of individuals suffered from lap and shoulder injuries when they used their seatbelt.
The NHTSA released the following seat belt injury statistics in a study entitled, "Seatbelt Injuries in Medical and Statistical Perspectives:"
- Over 4600 individuals suffered from lap injuries after using a seat belt. That accounts for an injury rate of 24.2 percent
- More than 81,000 individuals suffered from lap/shoulder injuries after using a seat belt. That accounts for an injury rate of 25.2 percent
- Approximately 129,000 individuals suffered injuries because of using no seat belt, at an injury rate of 54.6 percent
Research Studies on Internal Organ Damage Resulting from Seat Belt Use
Numerous other published research studies have tracked the injuries individuals suffer from auto accidents after using their seat belts. A study published in the Southern Medical Journal by Dr. Greingor and Dr. Lazarus discovered that patients with seat belt injuries frequently suffered from sternal fractures and abdominal injuries.
The study is entitled, "Chest and Abdominal Injuries Caused by Seat Belt Wearing," revealed findings of passengers involved in auto accidents who:
- Suffered from an increase in abdominal tenderness and muscle fiber damage
- Suffered from bowel injuries
- Suffered from an increase in higher mortality and morbidity rates involving a delayed diagnosis of bowel injuries
Types of Seat Belt Injuries
A vehicle's sudden stop could cause significant pain with a shoulder strap crosses the upper torso. Many accident victims require physical therapy and chiropractic care.
The common injuries that victims could suffer from the use of seat belts as restraining devices:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Whiplash
- Fractured sternum
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal bleeding and trauma
- Abdominal injuries
- Bowel injuries
- Skin abrasions
Sample Settlements & Verdicts Related to Seatbelt Injuries Related to Illinois Auto Accidents
$212,000 Settlement; Rockford, Illinois; 2016
A mother and her daughter were driving in downtown Rockford when a large truck turned left and crashed into their passenger car. The mother broke some bones and needed a hip replaced due the incident to the tune of almost $90,000 in medical expenses. The daughter suffered neck, chest, and back injuries because of the seatbelt she was wearing. Later, these harms caused facial drooping and paralysis. The daughter spent more than $30,000 in medical bills fixing these problems. They both sued the truck driver. Despite the large truck driver’s protestations that the pair’s problems predate the car accident, he finally did cooperate and the parties settled. The mother received $150,000 of financial compensation and the daughter received $62,500 for her damages.
A mother and her daughter were driving in downtown Rockford when a large truck turned left and crashed into their passenger car. The mother broke some bones and needed a hip replaced due the incident to the tune of almost $90,000 in medical expenses. The daughter suffered neck, chest, and back injuries because of the seatbelt she was wearing. Later, these harms caused facial drooping and paralysis. The daughter spent more than $30,000 in medical bills fixing these problems. They both sued the truck driver. Despite the large truck driver’s protestations that the pair’s problems predate the car accident, he finally did cooperate and the parties settled. The mother received $150,000 of financial compensation and the daughter received $62,500 for her damages.
$1,300,000 Settlement; Chicago, Illinois; 2015
This personal injury lawsuit started on a more positive note-a trip to Chicago for work. A woman in her early sixties was travelling to Illinois in order to attend a conference. Unfortunately, the van she travelled in did not properly install the seatbelts. Therefore, when the van stopped abruptly, she was sent flying to the floor and she hurt her knee. To make matters worse, upon exiting the vehicle, she tumbled down and broke her femur. She sued the truck driver and large truck company for damages. She claimed they were both negligent and responsible for her injuries, costs (including almost $300,000 in medical expenses), and pain and disability from her subsequent knee replacement surgery following the events. The company they denied they were at fault. The company claimed the woman was exaggerating her injuries. Yet, the company also agreed to settle. At the end of the process, the woman received a $1.3 million settlement package.
$690,000 Settlement; Lake County, Illinois; 2012
This controversy occurred in Gurnee, Illinois. A forty-year-old woman was waiting for a red light to change to green when she was rear-ended by the defendant’s motor vehicle. The car was travelling at nearly fifty miles per hour when he slammed into her passenger car. The car flipped over and left her hanging from the vehicle upside. As she hung in midair, the seatbelt cut into her organs and broke a few of her bones. The trips to the hospital, doctors, and rehab cost her almost $200,000. She also had to miss work for three months and that cost her approximately $8,000. She presented this evidence when bringing a claim against the driver in Illinois court as well as the resulting loss and harm. The two sides settled before it could reach a jury. The man’s insurance company gave her $690,000.
$2,500,000 Settlement; Cook County, Illinois; 2007
A young family was riding in their motor vehicle in Schaumburg when another vehicle chased through a yellow light and turned left into them. The crash was catastrophic. The family’s little six-year-old girl was killed when the seatbelt crushed her spine. Not long after the tragic events, the family brought a suit against the driver. The case was for personal injury and wrongful death. Yet, it did not go to a complete jury trial, the matter settled before that could happen. The defendant’s insurance company gave the family $2.5 million.
This personal injury lawsuit started on a more positive note-a trip to Chicago for work. A woman in her early sixties was travelling to Illinois in order to attend a conference. Unfortunately, the van she travelled in did not properly install the seatbelts. Therefore, when the van stopped abruptly, she was sent flying to the floor and she hurt her knee. To make matters worse, upon exiting the vehicle, she tumbled down and broke her femur. She sued the truck driver and large truck company for damages. She claimed they were both negligent and responsible for her injuries, costs (including almost $300,000 in medical expenses), and pain and disability from her subsequent knee replacement surgery following the events. The company they denied they were at fault. The company claimed the woman was exaggerating her injuries. Yet, the company also agreed to settle. At the end of the process, the woman received a $1.3 million settlement package.
$690,000 Settlement; Lake County, Illinois; 2012
This controversy occurred in Gurnee, Illinois. A forty-year-old woman was waiting for a red light to change to green when she was rear-ended by the defendant’s motor vehicle. The car was travelling at nearly fifty miles per hour when he slammed into her passenger car. The car flipped over and left her hanging from the vehicle upside. As she hung in midair, the seatbelt cut into her organs and broke a few of her bones. The trips to the hospital, doctors, and rehab cost her almost $200,000. She also had to miss work for three months and that cost her approximately $8,000. She presented this evidence when bringing a claim against the driver in Illinois court as well as the resulting loss and harm. The two sides settled before it could reach a jury. The man’s insurance company gave her $690,000.
$2,500,000 Settlement; Cook County, Illinois; 2007
A young family was riding in their motor vehicle in Schaumburg when another vehicle chased through a yellow light and turned left into them. The crash was catastrophic. The family’s little six-year-old girl was killed when the seatbelt crushed her spine. Not long after the tragic events, the family brought a suit against the driver. The case was for personal injury and wrongful death. Yet, it did not go to a complete jury trial, the matter settled before that could happen. The defendant’s insurance company gave the family $2.5 million.
Contact Experienced Illinois Auto Accident Lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC Today
If you received a seatbelt injury during a car accident, please speak with one of our attorneys for help today. We understand how overwhelming it can be to consider filing a lawsuit for a seat belt injury.
Ask your questions or discuss your concerns with our Illinois auto accident lawyers at any time. Contact our auto accident injury attorneys at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or through the contact form to schedule a free consultation.
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