Seat Belt and Airbag Injuries: Signs to Watch For After a Crash

What is a seat belt or airbag injury?

It is an injury from the force of a seat belt or airbag in a crash. They still protect you. The CDC says seat belts cut serious crash injuries and deaths by about half. See a doctor if you have pain or bruising where the belt held you, and call 911 in an emergency.

A belt holds you in place by taking the force of the crash. That force can injure the body along the belt’s path.

The CDC says airbags add protection but do not replace seat belts. Airbags plus seat belts give adults the most protection.

A medical reference hosted by the National Library of Medicine says these injuries do not mean riding without a belt is safer.

What does research say about injuries from seat belts?

Bruises or scrapes along the path of the belt can be a seat belt sign. The force can also hurt the chest, the belly or the spine.

Chest injuries can include broken ribs, a broken breastbone and bruised lungs.

In the belly, the bowel and the tissue that holds it in place can be hurt. These injuries can be serious if they are not found early.

Bones in the low back can also break. The medical reference links one type, called a Chance fracture, to lap belts.

Where the belt crosses the neck, doctors may check for injuries to blood vessels, neck bones or the collarbone.

What injuries can an airbag cause?

An airbag can hit the eyes hard enough to injure them. Get medical care for any eye injury. Front passenger airbags can injure or kill young children.

MedlinePlus lists airbags among common causes of blunt eye injuries. These can cause bleeding inside the front of the eye.

The health sources we use do not cover other airbag injuries, such as burns or hearing loss. Tell your doctor about any injury you think an airbag caused.

The CDC says never to put a rear-facing car seat in the front seat. It also says to keep children buckled in the back seat until age 13.

MedlinePlus says car seats belong in the back seat. If there is no back seat, a car seat can go in front only if there is no front or side airbag, or it is turned off.

Which signs of a hidden injury should I watch for?

Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain, or a belly that is tender or hard. Also call for signs of shock, such as confusion, clammy skin or dizziness.

Internal bleeding can quickly become life threatening. It may not be easy to see. MedlinePlus lists blood in the stool or urine as possible signs.

That medical reference also lists a bowel tear that shows up later as a possible problem after a seat belt injury.

Bruised ribs often come from car crashes. MedlinePlus says a hard blow can also break ribs or hurt the lungs, liver, spleen or kidneys.

With a broken rib, contact your provider if pain stops you from breathing deeply or coughing, or if you cough up bloody mucus. Call 911 if you have trouble breathing.

Our page on symptoms that show up later covers other signs.

How are chest and belly injuries from a crash diagnosed and treated?

Doctors use an exam and tests to see how serious a chest or belly injury is. Care depends on the injury. Most broken ribs heal without surgery.

MedlinePlus says chest injuries are usually easy to see, but most need tests to show how serious they are.

A broken rib takes at least 6 weeks to heal. Bruised ribs take about 4 to 6 weeks.

After a broken rib, MedlinePlus suggests slow deep breaths and gentle coughs every 2 hours. This can help prevent a collapsed lung or pneumonia.

Tell the doctor about any belly pain. Bowel injuries can be serious if they are not found early.

Which records show a seat belt or airbag injury?

Records include ER notes, scan reports and notes from follow-up visits. Keep your bills too.

Ask for copies of the reports from any scans or tests.

With few exceptions, you can get your records and images, such as X-rays. A provider cannot refuse a copy because a bill is unpaid.

We also suggest dated photos of any bruises from the belt or airbag.

Can I claim my medical bills from my own policy after a seat belt injury?

You may, if your policy has PIP or medical payments coverage. These can pay medical bills no matter who was at fault. Some states have their own rules.

Pennsylvania: medical benefits are required on car policies. They pay no matter who was at fault.

California’s insurance department says medical payments coverage pays limited medical costs. It covers people hurt in the car you are driving, whether or not you were at fault.

Michigan: a suit over unpaid PIP benefits generally must start within 1 year of the crash. Written notice of the injury to the insurer within that year, or a PIP payment, extends the time.

What if I want to talk with a law firm about a seat belt or airbag injury?

You can get care, keep your records and file insurance claims on your own. The steps above show where to start.

Some people also want to ask a law firm about an injury from a seat belt or airbag in a crash. People’s Justice is not a law firm. We do not review your crash or recommend a lawyer. If you want, you can use the form on this page to ask to be connected with a law firm that pays us to advertise.