Philadelphia Seat Belt Injury Lawyer

Philadelphia Seat Belt Injury Lawyer

Wearing a seat belt when driving or riding in a car can greatly reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of a car accident.

This does not mean, however, that injuries cannot happen even while wearing a seatbelt. If you have experienced an injury due to a faulty seatbelt in Philadelphia, PA, you may be entitled to financial compensation. 

At Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, our Philadelphia seatbelt injury lawyers have both the training and the experience to help you manage this tough legal situation. We are available and ready to help drivers and passengers injured in car and truck accidents, so call today for your free consultation.

How Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Suffered a Seatbelt Injury in Philly

Philadelphia Pennsylvania Lawyer

Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, is a well-established and well-respected firm that is known for providing our clients with top-notch representation. Due to our extensive experience with personal injury law, there is very little that catches us off guard, which means we are always ready for anything. When you hire our team of lawyers, you have the benefit of decades of combined experience ready to fight for you.

Here are just a few things our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers can do for you:

  • If we do not win, you do not pay
  • Our office maintains a policy of responding to client calls within 24 hours
  • We take the time to understand the details and nuances of your particular case
  • We are available to assist with medical arrangements if necessary
  • We contact other parties involved in your claim within 24 hours

Our Philadelphia law firm is skilled at handling all of this and more. Contact us for your free consultation, so we can start fighting for you immediately.

How Seat Belt Injuries Occur

It has been statistically proven that seat belts can save lives. Unfortunately, wearing a seat belt does not guarantee that you are impervious to injury in the event of a serious car accident. In fact, there are cases where it is the seat belt itself that is responsible for causing the injury. Seat belt injuries can occur due to:

  • Tight restraints
  • Improper use 
  • Manufacturer defect

Of course, wearing a seat belt is always a good idea, but it is important to be aware that seat belts are still capable of causing injury to the user. Understanding how seat belt injuries occur can help you identify the cause and whether you may have been the victim of negligence on the part of the manufacturer.

Types of Seat Belt Injuries

A large number of injuries that occur due to seat belts tend to be fairly minor injuries, but there are cases in which the injury can be quite severe. The segment of the belt worn across the lap can cause abdominal injuries, while the segment of the belt that is worn across the shoulder can be responsible for injuries to the shoulder and neck. Here are a few of the types of injuries that can be caused by seat belts:

If you are the victim of any of the above kinds of injuries, it may be in part due to the manufacturer. If this is the case, our law firm will be able to assist you in your claim and fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve to help you manage during this difficult time.

One of the main legal issues related to seat belt injuries has to do with a defective seat belt. A defective seat belt means the belt did not correctly prevent an injury due to the fact that there was a flaw in the design of the seat belt itself, or that the seat belt was not properly installed in the vehicle. There are two main kinds of seat belt defects: defective latches or defective tension detectors.

In the case of a defective latch, a serious car accident may cause the seat belt to completely detach due to the force of the collision, rendering it wholly ineffective in preventing injuries. In the case of a defective tension detector, the detector may fail to remove any slack in the belt, or the opposite might occur and the detector may fail to keep the belt tightly secured. Both of these cases are due to either the seat belt not being properly installed in the car, or a defect in the manufacturing process of the belt.

If you were injured because of a defective seatbelt, you may have a legitimate product liability claim on your hands. Our Philadelphia car accident lawyers will help you stand tall against the manufacturer and demand the money you deserve.

What Compensation Can I Expect After A Seat Belt Injury in Philadelphia?

Every seat belt injury case is different, and as a result, it can be quite difficult to accurately predict exactly what compensation you may be able to receive. Much of your compensation is going to depend on the severity of your injury. It may also depend on the extent of the manufacturer’s negligence that resulted in the injury in the first place. 

In most personal injury cases, your expected compensation can be split into two distinct categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages, also referred to as special compensation, specifically pertain to the financial costs associated with your personal injury. These costs may include:

  • Lost wages
  • Costs of in-home healthcare
  • Vocational rehabilitation
  • Medical equipment
  • Domestic services

Non-economic damages, on the other hand, pertain to personal losses that are more difficult to assign monetary value. These types of damages may include:

  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Emotional trauma
  • Physical disfigurement
  • Humiliation
  • Mental distress

In addition, Pennsylvania has adopted modified comparative negligence rules. This refers to the assigning and apportionment of blame. In Pennsylvania, if you contributed more than 50% of the negligence that caused your accident and resulting injury, you will be barred from recovery. Our personal injury lawyers can help you determine the proper assignment of blame.

Statute Of Limitations For Philadelphia Seat Belt Injury Cases

If you’ve been injured because of seatbelt in a car crash in Philadelphia, it is incredibly important that you not delay in filing your claim. There exists a statute of limitations on personal injury cases, which allows you only a certain window of time in which to file a claim. In Pennsylvania, the law provides you two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. If you do not file in time, you forfeit your right to seek compensation for your injury. 

This is why it is important that you contact our law offices as soon as possible so we can get started on building your case. This will help to relieve you of the legal burden and will also prevent negligent parties from benefiting from your delay in filing. The sooner you get this process started, the sooner you will receive the financial compensation you deserve. 

Schedule a Free Consultation With A Philadelphia Auto Accident Attorney At Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers Today

At Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, our team of Philadelphia seatbelt injury lawyers is prepared to handle your case and provide you with world-class representation, don’t hesitate to call (215) 875-7030. We will fight for you, we will make sure you get what you deserve, and we will help you achieve the peace of mind you need.