What Is the Submarine Effect in a Car Accident?

The submarine effect occurs when a driver or passenger slides out from under their seatbelt during a car accident. The force of the impact or sudden change in momentum can make it difficult or impossible to remain immobile in the seat. Without a seatbelt, the driver or passenger could be ejected or thrown about the vehicle’s interior. When this happens, the person could suffer a severe, catastrophic, or fatal injury. 

What Are Common Injuries Caused by Seat Belt Submarining?

Seatbelts are designed to keep occupants in their seats. When someone “submarines” out of their seatbelt, they could suffer serious injuries, including:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Abdominal injuries
• Back injuries
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Crush injuries
• Lower leg fractures
• Strangulation from the seatbelt

What Are Some Tips for Preventing Seat Belt Submarining?

You can reduce the risk of a seatbelt submarining injury by taking specific precautions, such as:

• Wear a properly fitting seatbelt. The lap belt should sit snugly below your stomach. The shoulder strap should cross over your shoulder and chest. It should never sit underneath your arm.
• Check the seat cushion. Ensure the cushion is secure before getting into the vehicle. If it’s loose or damaged, repair it before sitting in the seat.
• Use a booster or car seat for children – Seatbelts are often too loose to fit around a child’s lap and chest securely. Small children should ride in a booster or car seat according to age, height, and weight.

What Compensation Can I Secure Through a Car Accident Lawsuit?

Drivers are required to carry car insurance with minimum liability coverage in Alabama. Every driver must carry liability insurance to cover an injured person’s losses if they are at fault for an accident.

You can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or file a lawsuit to pursue compensation after a car wreck. The money you receive might compensate you for your:

• Hospitalization, physical therapy, prescriptions, and other medical expenses

• Lost wages

• Lost earning capacity

• Property damage

• Permanent disability or disfigurement

• Pain, suffering, and mental anguish

What If I Was Partially Responsible?

Alabama’s contributory negligence doctrine prohibits you from recovering compensation if you share any percentage of fault for the crash. That means you can’t recover money for your injuries or losses if you’re even 1% responsible for your injury. That’s why it’s crucial to hire an experienced injury lawyer to represent you if you feel you’re owed compensation from the other party. Your lawyer will need to build a strong case on your behalf and show that the other party or parties were solely responsible for the crash and the harm you’ve suffered.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

In Alabama, the statute of limitations gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident. Once that time limit expires, the court will be barred from hearing your case, and you will likely lose your right to compensation.

What Should I Do If I Have Been Injured in a Car Accident in Alabama?

Seeking medical care is essential after getting hurt in a car crash. If you’re not transported to the hospital from the scene, visit a doctor as soon as possible to have any injuries diagnosed and treated promptly. Follow your doctor’s instructions if they recommend diagnostic tests, X-rays, physical therapy, or other follow-up care.

Attending your doctor’s appointments is crucial. Missing your appointments can delay your recovery and can negatively affect your case. The other party’s insurer might use delayed, inconsistent, or discontinued treatment to deny, delay, or underpay your claim.

Write down every detail about the collision while it’s fresh in your mind. Explain what you remember about the accident, including your direction of travel and what the other driver was doing before the impact. You can also take note of the road and weather conditions.

Document your injuries during your ongoing treatment. You should list every symptom you experience and indicate the severity. Also, explain whether your symptoms worsen at specific times of the day or during certain activities.

Keep copies of every record related to the accident. Hold onto your billing statements, physician notes, imaging test results, and other documents. They can help prove the nature and extent of your injury.

Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer is crucial. A skilled and knowledgeable car accident lawyer from Gartlan Injury Law could handle each step of the injury claims process, such as:

• Conducting a thorough investigation to determine who is liable for the accident
• Talking to witnesses, obtaining photos from the accident scene, and collecting other valuable evidence
• Gathering copies of your medical records to show the injury you sustained and your recovery progress
• Requesting copies of your medical bills, wage statements, property damage estimates, and other documentation to calculate the financial impact of the crash
• Filing an insurance claim and negotiating a settlement with the other party’s insurance company
• Filing a lawsuit if the insurer denies your claim or offers a lowball settlement

Avoiding social media is also vital while your case is pending. Although it might not seem harmful, posting about the accident can harm your chance of receiving the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Contact an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a car crash and submarining had something to do with your injuries, don’t hesitate to contact an attorney from Gartlan Injury Law right away. We could investigate the crash to determine which party or parties might be liable for the harm you suffered, whether it is the other driver, the vehicle’s seatbelt manufacturer, or another entity.

It won’t cost you anything to discuss the details of your case with us. Call us or contact us online for a free and confidential consultation today.

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Aaron Gartlan

Aaron Gartlan is a graduate of Troy University and the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law who focuses his practice exclusively on representing those injured by the wrongdoing of others. He is member of the National Trial Lawyers Association’s Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. In addition to his legal practice, Aaron teaches Business Law as an adjunct instructor at Troy University’s Sorrell College of Business and serves as a field artillery sergeant in the Alabama National Guard.