Representation for New Yorkers Injured by Seatbelts

There is no doubt that seatbelts save lives – all statistics show the use of seatbelts has reduced fatalities in vehicle collisions. However, that does not mean they are wholly beneficial. Even when worn properly, seatbelts can cause serious injuries to passengers during a crash, including spinal injuries and ruptured abdominal organs.

It is vital that emergency services on the scene and medical providers later treating someone who was involved in a crash be aware of and recognize the signs of possible injuries from seatbelts. Delayed treatment of such injuries can be especially dangerous, and may be considered a form of medical negligence.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a seatbelt, call a New York City car accident lawyer at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, at (212) 986-7353 today. The driver responsible for your crash is also responsible for paying for these injuries.

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Different Types of Seatbelts

When it comes to motor vehicles, there are three common types of seatbelts:

  • Lap belt: This is a simple seatbelt that goes across a person’s lap and clasps either on the side near the hip or in the middle where two pieces come together. This is known as a “two-point” seatbelt because it has two end points. A lap belt without any shoulder support is likely to cause abdominal injury during a collision.
  • Sash: Also known as a shoulder harness, this belt goes across a person’s chest diagonally from one shoulder to the opposite hip. This is also a two-point belt, though sashes are typically found as separate seatbelts only in older vehicles. When worn without a lap belt, someone in a collision could slip under the restraint and suffer serious injuries.
  • Three-point: These have become increasingly common over the past few decades. They consist of both a lap belt and sash together as one piece, so that it connects at three points: both hips and one shoulder. Injuries from these kinds of seatbelts are less common than any two-point seatbelt.

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What Are Some Common Seatbelt Injuries?

Different injuries can occur based on the type of seatbelt being worn at the time of a collision. Some of the most common injuries include:

  • Spinal damage: Injuries to the spine can occur as a result of wearing a lap belt during a collision. The sudden deceleration in a crash causes trauma to the spine, which can tear soft tissue and even separate vertebrae. If the injury is bad enough, it can cause complete paralysis.
  • Abdominal organ laceration: A lap belt can dig into a person’s stomach during a collision with such intensity that internal organs can be ruptured. If left untreated, this can lead to serious internal infections (like peritonitis) and blood poisoning.
  • Neck and head injuries: These are most likely to occur when only a sash belt is present, when someone “submarines” or goes under the belt in a collision. The person’s neck or head can get caught on the belt, and serious injuries or fatalities may occur as a result. Neck injuries also occur with three-point seatbelts, depending on how they are designed.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious seatbelt injury in a crash involving a negligent driver in New York City, you deserve compensation for your suffering. Call the NYC seatbelt injury lawyers at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, at (212) 986-7353 to talk about your options and determine what you need to do next.

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Additional Information

Our Car Accident Case Results

$8.3 Million - New York State Record-Setting Verdict for Single Level Cervical Discectomy

Pursuant to the New York Jury Verdict Reporter, WRSMH attorney Frank J. Lombardo obtained the highest recorded verdict in the State of New York for a single level cervical discectomy.

Frank Lombardo

$6.2 Million - Intersection Accident

WRSMH attorney was able to obtain a jury verdict in the amount of $6.2 million on behalf of our client, a 60-year-old Brooklyn woman involved in a motor vehicle accident.

WRSMH LLP

$5.5 Million - New York Motor Vehicle Accident

WRSMH attorney Bryce Moses obtained a verdict in the amount of $5,500,000 for our client who was exiting the Staten Island Expressway when her motor vehicle was struck by a Con Edison van.

Bryce Moses

$4.5 Million - Two Passengers Injured in Rear-end Accident

Jay Wechsler obtained an excellent result at the early stages of a case for two clients who were injured in a rear-end accident.

Jay Wechsler

$3.4 Million - Two Backseat Passengers Suffered Severe Injuries in Rear-End Accident

Konstantin Burshteyn successfully represented two backseat passengers who suffered injuries in a rear-end accident.

Konstantin Burshteyn

$3.3 Million - Client Struck By Van While On a Scooter

Attorney Jason Rubin obtained a large settlement for a man who was injured after being struck by a van while on a scooter.

Jason Rubin

$3 Million - NY Motor Vehicle Accident

Cliff Shapiro and another WRSMH attorney were able to obtain a settlement in the amount of $3,000,000 on behalf of a forty-five year old man from Queens who suffered injuries to his neck and lower back in a crash.

Clifford Shapiro

$2.9 Million - NY Access-A-Ride Van Accident

WRSMH settled the case of our client who was hit by an Access-A-Ride van after mediation and before trial for $2.9 million dollars.

WRSMH LLP

$2.8 Million - Three Car Auto Accident in NY

WRSMH attorney obtained a $2.8 million settlement during trial for our client who was involved in a three car accident. The plaintiff was struck twice from behind in a rear-end collision involving two vehicles.

WRSMH LLP

$2.766 Million - Passenger Injured in Sideswipe

Konstantin Burshteyn represented a client, a passenger in a vehicle, who sustained multiple injuries in a sideswipe accident.

Konstantin Burshteyn

$2.75 Million - NY Intersection Car Accident

Phil Russotti and Kenneth Halperin obtained a settlement for our client in the amount of $2,750,000, in this case in which the plaintiff's motor vehicle was struck in the rear.

Philip Russotti, Kenneth Halperin

$2.75 Million - Rear-end Van Accident in Queens

Douglas Milch obtained a large settlement for a group of individuals injured in a van accident in Queens on the Grand Central Parkway.

Douglas Milch

$2.5 Million - New York Motor Vehicle Accident

Kenneth Halperin obtained a combined settlement in the amount of $2,500,000 for a 66 year old woman and her 32 year old daughter who were injured in a motor vehicle accident.

Kenneth Halperin

$2.5 Million - Queens County Resident's Vehicle Hit by Rental Truck

Douglas Milch obtained a large settlement for a Queens County resident who was injured in a collision with a rental truck.

Douglas Milch

$2.3 Million - Sideswipe Accident Causes Serious Injury

Michael Fitzpatrick obtained a large settlement for an immigrant, who was a passenger in a vehicle that was sideswiped in a Brooklyn.

Michael Fitzpatrick

$2.25 Million - Permanent Injuries from Rear-end Accident In The Bronx

WRSMH attorney recently settled a case for a client who sustained permanent neck and back injuries after being rear-ended in the Bronx.

WRSMH LLP

$2.25 Million - Rear-End Motor Vehicle Collision

Our client sustained multiple injuries as the result of a rear-end motor vehicle collision.

Stephen Wagner

$2.25 Million - Passenger Injured in Rear-End Accident

Konstantin Burshteyn successfully represented a client who sustained multiple injuries as a passenger in a rear-end accident.

Konstantin Burshteyn

$2 Million - New York Rear-End Collision

Kenneth Halperin and another WRSMH attorney were able to obtain a settlement in the amount of $2,000,000 on behalf of our client, a 45-year-old man from Queens County.

Kenneth Halperin

$2 Million - Intersection Accident in Brooklyn

WRSMH was able to obtain a recovery after trial in the amount of $2,000,000 on behalf of our client, a 60-year-old housekeeper from Kings County.

WRSMH LLP

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