Wilmington Seatbelt Injury Lawyer

 

Pella Windows Class Action Case

$25.7 Million

We have recovered a $25.7 million settlement on behalf of our client on a Pella windows class action case.

Chinese Drywall Settlement Case

$24 Million

We have recovered $24 million on the largest individual Chinese drywall settlement case.

Marriott Vacation Club Class Action

$13.3 Million

We have recovered a $13.3 million settlement for Deceptive Trade Practices at Marriott Vacation Club.

Legal Representation for Injuries From Seatbelt Malfunctions

Seatbelts are a critical piece of safety equipment that should be worn while a car is in motion, and they have been shown to save lives. But on occasion, these safety features can fail or cause additional injury to the vehicle’s occupants.

If you have been in a wreck because of someone else’s negligence, call Rhine Law Firm, P.C., at to schedule a free consultation. Our injury lawyers can examine your injuries and determine if you have a claim for compensation against the seatbelt manufacturer as well as the other driver.

What Injuries Can Seatbelts Cause?Close Up Of Male Driver In Car Fastening Seatbelt Before Setting Off On Journey

The use of seatbelts associated with unique injuries is called “the seatbelt syndrome.” Medical professionals are noticing a rise in these types of injuries, and are focusing their efforts on early detection and treatment. After a car wreck, victims may suffer:

  • Abdominal injuries: Perforation of the bowel and ruptured intestines are common after a seatbelt restrains a person in a violent collision. These ruptures can cause internal bleeding, infection, and other complications, like peritonitis.
  • Peritonitis: An inflammation of the membrane covering the abdominal organs, peritonitis is directly related to bacterial or fungal infections caused by a ruptured organ. It can be life-threatening if not diagnosed in time and treated with antibiotics.
  • Spinal trauma: Especially in rear-end collisions, occupants may suffer serious spinal trauma, mostly due to a lap seatbelt. The severe flexing of the torso can cause a tear in the “posterior elements” of the victim’s spine, which protect the spinal cord and nerve roots inside the vertebrae. It can also cause fractures in the spinal column, leading to nerve damage.
  • Nerve damage: Seatbelts can cause injury to the brachial plexus (the nerve clusters controlling each shoulder and arm) in a collision. Depending on how bad the injury was, the patient may need surgery to repair the damage.
  • Pelvic fracture: People in car crashes may suffer three types of pelvic fracture: acetabular fractures, avulsion fractures, and open-book fractures. Side-impact collisions can also compress the pelvis, causing injury.
  • Dislocated shoulder: Dislocations are more likely in a high-speed head-on collision, especially if the victim was leaning his arm on the door’s window frame.

Seatbelt injuries can be overlooked after a crash, so make sure you visit a medical professional right away and inform them you were wearing a seatbelt. The doctor should want to perform an X-ray to look for signs of internal injuries.

What If I Wasn’t Wearing a Seatbelt During the Collision?

In North Carolina, each occupant of a vehicle must wear a seatbelt according to G.S. 20-135.2A. However, if you were a victim in a car wreck and you were not wearing a seatbelt, you may still have a right to seek compensation for your injuries from the at-fault driver: “Evidence of failure to wear a seat belt shall not be admissible in any civil trial.”

As long as you not wearing a seatbelt did not contribute to the cause of the wreck, and the other driver was either totally at fault or driving with reckless disregard, you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Our law office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend appointments are available upon request. We offer Spanish interpretation and translation services.

What Are the Symptoms of a Seatbelt Injury?

Seatbelt injuries tend to have “delayed presentation,” which means they may not show up right after the incident.

In the days and weeks after the crash, be on guard for:

  • Abdominal pain or tenderness
  • Difficulty using the bathroom
  • Bloating, fever, or nausea
  • Shoulder or neck pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Weakness in the muscles
  • Scrapes or bruising on the neck, chest, or stomach (“the seatbelt sign”)

All of the above symptoms are indications your seatbelt caused you injury. Get medical help as quickly as possible, and record the fallout from your injuries through journaling and a complete medical record. If your physician recommends a course of treatment, be sure to adhere to it, as this will help you in a personal injury claim.

If you have been in a car wreck, contact the seatbelt injury lawyers at Rhine Law Firm, P.C. Our team will gather the facts of the wreck to determine if your seatbelt caused your injuries or made them worse. We will review the police report, interview witnesses, consult with accident recreation specialists, and work with firms that specialize in testing safety equipment to prove your case.

Our Promise to You

  • National Practice with a Local Presence

  • Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Won

  • Over 30 Years of Experience

  • Experienced, Thorough & Dedicated Attorneys

  • Spanish-Speaking Services Available

  • Evening & Weekend Appointments Available Upon Request

“Joel Rhine and his staff did everything possible to help us in a very dark period of our lives.”

“I couldn’t have asked for a better firm to handle my injury claim. If you do not have confidence with your attorney, you need to contact Rhine Law Firm immediately.”

“Rhine Law Firm went out of their way to make sure that my mother-in-law obtains everything she is entitled to in an injury case.”

“It was a long, arduous process and we cannot thank Joel and the rest of the team at Rhine Law Firm enough.”

“Joel will make sure you are well taken care of. He will fight for you and what you deserve and go to all measures to make sure you get it.”

Passenger Injuries

If you incur very minor injuries that do not require medical attention, it is probably not worthwhile to pursue the matter further with an attorney. Your best course of action is to focus on having your car repaired. In accidents resulting in moderate or severe injuries, you should always consult with an attorney.

If you were at fault and caused the accident, you do not have a claim against the other driver’s insurance company for injuries or vehicle damage. If you carry collision coverage on your insurance policy, you can file a claim on your own insurance to repair your vehicle. If the other driver is injured and ends up filing a lawsuit against you, your insurance company is usually required to provide a car accident lawyer to represent you. Our attorneys do not represent drivers who caused the wreck.

Accidents Caused by Defective Products

There may be times when a collision is caused by a poorly designed or improperly manufactured vehicle. In these cases, the defective part’s maker may be liable for any damage it caused. There have been numerous cases in the past where defective tires, airbags, brakes, and other faulty auto parts have caused injury and death.

Hire Us for Your Car Accident Claims

Any injury resulting from a car wreck is unexpected and inconvenient, to say the least. However, the lasting effects of a catastrophic injury or wrongful death require justice.

Our firm can help you hold negligent or careless drivers and their insurance companies financially responsible for your medical expenses, rehabilitative costs, income loss, home modifications (if necessary) and most importantly, the pain and suffering you have endured.

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