Seatbelt Use and Your Cleveland Accident Claim August 25, 2012.

When you are involved in a Cleveland accident, a lot of things can happen when you file a car accident claim. Seatbelts are a popular topic in any car accident claim. In some cases, they can save lives. In others, they can cause severe injuries and be even more detrimental than valuable to the victim. In these cases, a Cleveland personal injury attorney can help. Seatbelts, for the most part, provide sound protection. The likelihood of a seatbelt helping you is far higher than it harming you.

According to state law alone, Ohio requires that anyone in the front seat and children who are in the car must wear seatbelts. This is a secondary offense, so it isn’t going to add points to your license if you get caught without. However, it can result in fines of up to $50 or more, depending on the offense and your driving record.

In any car accident, wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of serious injury or death for the most part. The seatbelt is what keeps most victims from being ejected from the car, which usually improves their chances of survival and minimizes injuries. However, the seatbelt can become an injury issue itself. If it is forced into the abdomen too hard, it can cause superficial abrasions, cuts, internal bleeding and injury, and more.

Assessing Your Injuries in a Car Accident Claim

You have to make sure that you take the time to learn about your own injuries and how they relate to seatbelt use. It might also be important to know whether the other driver was restrained properly in his or her vehicle. Whether the seatbelt is the reason for your safety or the cause of your injuries, it’s important to investigate for your car accident claim. A Cleveland personal injury attorney can help you determine what role the seatbelt plays in your personal injury lawsuit, if any.

There are many injuries that a seatbelt can prevent, and at the same time, many that it can cause. Get checked out by a doctor who understands car accident injuries so that you can determine which injuries you have and why they happened. That way, you can include seatbelt injuries in your car accident claim if need be. It’s always important to get medical help after an accident.

Even when you don’t think you are injured, you should see a doctor after a car accident. You might be injured internally or have signs of injuries that might show up later. Medical professionals know how to assess your injuries and determine their cause, severity, and what you can expect in the future.

Contact Mellino Law Firm with Your Car Accident Questions

You don’t have to file your car accident claim alone. When you have seatbelt injuries and other issues, you need someone on your side with experience. A Cleveland personal injury attorney will be able to make sure that you address all of the details and get the compensation that you deserve for your claim.

To learn more about seatbelt injuries, seatbelt use, or to get help with your car accident claim, contact Mellino Law Firm today at (440) 333-3800. We know what it takes to resolve accident claims quickly and get the outcome that you deserve.