Putting on your seat belt every time you drive is an effective way to improve your chances of surviving a car accident. In fact, since seat belts became standard in 1975, they have prevented nearly 400,000 traffic fatalities in the U.S. alone.
Following a car accident, you may expect to have some bruising across your waist or on your torso. Because many bruises are skin deep, you may not think you need medical care for one. Still, if you have seat belt syndrome, you may require immediate medical care.
What is SBS?
SBS is the common name for a variety of injuries you may suffer when your body pushes against your car’s seat belt during a car accident. These may include one or more of the following:
- Bruises
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
Why is SBS serious?
If your SBS only involves minor bruising, you probably do not have to worry about your health or recovery. Unfortunately, even if you have medical training, you may not be able to distinguish between a superficial injury and a potentially life-threatening one. Going to the emergency room for a complete examination is the easiest way to determine whether your life may be in danger.
How do you pay for an SBS diagnosis?
Doctors may use blood tests, diagnostic scans, x-rays and other tools to determine if you have SBS. These tests and the doctor’s talents can be exceedingly expensive. Regardless of whether you have health insurance, your health demands receiving the correct diagnosis.
Ultimately, to help you pay mounting medical bills for SBS and any other injuries you suffer, you may be able to pursue financial compensation from the driver who caused the accident.
