Seatbelt Injuries in Car Accidents: Settlement Amounts and Claims

While seatbelts save thousands of lives every year, the force of a seatbelt restraining your body during a collision can itself cause injuries. Seatbelt injuries range from minor bruising and abrasions to serious internal injuries and fractures. If you were injured by your seatbelt in a car accident caused by another driver, you can recover compensation for these injuries as part of your personal injury claim.

Common Seatbelt Injuries

Seatbelt syndrome refers to the pattern of injuries caused by the seatbelt during a collision. Chest and sternum bruising from the shoulder strap is the most common seatbelt injury. Rib fractures can occur from the force of the seatbelt against the chest. Abdominal injuries including damage to the intestines, spleen, and liver can result from the lap belt. Clavicle or collarbone fractures from the shoulder strap. Spinal fractures, particularly in the lumbar spine, from the lap belt. Skin abrasions and burns from the friction of the seatbelt material.

Average Settlement Amounts

Seatbelt bruising and abrasions settle for $5,000 to $15,000. Rib fractures from seatbelt settle for $20,000 to $75,000. Clavicle fracture from seatbelt settle for $30,000 to $100,000. Abdominal injuries from lap belt settle for $50,000 to $300,000. Spinal fractures from seatbelt settle for $100,000 to $500,000.

The Seatbelt Defense

In some states, the insurance company may try to use the seatbelt defense to reduce your settlement. If you were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident, the insurance company may argue that your injuries would have been less severe if you had been buckled up. Some states allow the jury to reduce your damages based on your failure to wear a seatbelt, while others prohibit this defense entirely.

If you were wearing your seatbelt and the seatbelt itself caused injuries, this actually strengthens your claim because it demonstrates the force of the impact and the severity of the collision.

Defective Seatbelt Claims

In some cases, the seatbelt itself may be defective. If the seatbelt failed to properly restrain you, released during the collision, or caused injuries due to a design defect, you may have a product liability claim against the seatbelt manufacturer in addition to your personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.

Conclusion

Seatbelt injury settlements range from $5,000 for minor bruising to $500,000 for serious spinal fractures. These injuries are compensable as part of your overall car accident claim.

Use our free settlement calculator to estimate what your case might be worth.