Seatbelts are designed to save lives, but they can also cause serious injuries during a crash. If you suffered a seatbelt-related injury in a car accident in Atlanta, Georgia, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
The legal team at Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can help you understand your legal options, identify liable parties, and pursue the financial recovery you deserve. Contact our Atlanta seatbelt injury lawyers today at (770) 900-9000 for a free consultation.
Why Choose Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to Help You With a Seatbelt Injury Claim in Atlanta, GA?
Seatbelt injury cases can be highly complex. They may involve tort laws based on negligence, as well as product liability principles. You need an Atlanta personal injury lawyer who understands how to investigate complex collisions and uncover every contributing factor.
At Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we can identify what caused your crash and determine whether a manufacturing, design, or warning defect contributed to your injuries. By meticulously preparing your case, we’ll pursue the maximum compensation available.
Since opening our doors, we have successfully recovered tens of millions of dollars for our clients. With over 50 years of combined legal experience, you can trust us to capably handle your legal claims. Learn more about how we can assist you by calling our Atlanta car accident attorneys for a complimentary case review.
Why Do Seatbelt Injuries Occur?
Seatbelt injuries can occur for various reasons, including:
- Their design, which applies a sudden and immense force to protect vehicle occupants from hitting a hard surface or from being ejected
- Improper fit, which can occur when someone does not place the seatbelt across their chest and over their lap correctly
- Incorrect seating, such as reclining the chair too far back so that it does not compress where it should
- Design defects, which occur when the design of the belt is inherently flawed so that it doesn’t work properly
- Manufacturing defects, such as using the wrong material so that the belt unbuckles unexpectedly or does not latch correctly
An experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney can help determine if the seatbelt was flawed and what your legal options are if it was.
Common Types of Seatbelt Injuries
The nature of seatbelts causes the belt to exert immense pressure during a collision. The body is still moving during a crash even while the vehicle is stopping. The belt must apply enough pressure to hold the vehicle occupant in place. This high-force impact can damage the chest, abdomen, and shoulders.
Potential injuries can include:
- Crushing injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Shoulder injuries
- Bone fractures
- Chest injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Bruising and abrasions
When seatbelts fail, accident victims can suffer traumatic brain injuries and other serious injuries.
What Damages Are Available to Atlanta Seatbelt Injury Victims?
Georgia personal injury cases often demand compensation for economic damages, including:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity if the victim’s livelihood is affected by their injuries
- Costs to repair a damaged vehicle
Victims may also request non-economic damages for intangible losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
An experienced car accident attorney in Atlanta can work closely with you to identify all applicable damages and seek maximum compensation for them.
What Is My Atlanta Seatbelt Injury Case Worth?
Your case value will depend on several unique factors, such as:
- Who is responsible for your injuries
- The nature and extent of your injuries
- Whether you contributed to the accident
- Available insurance coverage
- The value of financial losses related to the accident
- The extent of your pain and suffering
Working with an Atlanta car accident lawyer is the best way to learn about the potential value of your case.
How Is My Personal Injury Claim Affected If I Contributed to the Accident?
Under Georgia law, when accident victims contribute to their own injuries, their damages may be reduced in proportion to their percentage of fault. Therefore, if you’re found to be 20% at fault for the accident, your damages would be reduced by 20%.
However, if your percentage of fault reaches 50%, you’re barred from recovery.
What Is the Deadline to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Georgia?
Generally, Georgia personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. However, there are some exceptions to the general rule. An experienced accident attorney can review your case and explain the deadline that applies to it.
Call Our Atlanta Seatbelt Injury Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
If you suffered seatbelt injuries in an auto accident in Atlanta, GA, you don’t have to handle the aftermath alone. An experienced Atlanta seatbelt injury attorney can help you pursue compensation for your damages. Call Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to take advantage of a free, no-obligation consultation.
Our legal team will assess the strength of your claim, outline the next steps, and begin protecting your rights immediately. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start building your case.
