Seatbelts save lives, yet they can leave devastating injuries. I’m Houston seatbelt injury lawyer Stephen Goldenzweig, and every day our firm meets crash survivors who are shocked to learn the very device that kept them in the car also broke bones or damaged internal organs. From our office on the West Loop in Bellaire, we guide injured Houstonians through the hardest days of their lives. Heavy traffic on I‑610, I‑45, and the Katy Freeway means accidents are common, and seat‑belt‑related wounds appear in many of those collisions. We believe every victim deserves answers, medical care, and full compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered a seatbelt injury, a free consultation is only a phone call away—and we collect no fees unless we win.

What Are Common Seatbelt Injuries in Car Accidents?

Seatbelt forces concentrate across the chest, shoulder, and abdomen, so the harm often follows the belt’s path.

  • Chest and sternum injuries – bruised or fractured ribs, cracked breastbone, and even heart or lung contusions.
  • Abdominal trauma – “seat‑belt sign” bruising can mask liver lacerations, spleen ruptures, or bowel tears.
  • Neck and shoulder damage – whiplash, clavicle fractures, and soft‑tissue strains from the shoulder harness.
  • Seat Belt Syndrome – a cluster of internal organ injuries and possible lumbar‑spine fractures, especially in high‑speed wrecks or when a child uses an adult belt.
  • Cuts and severe bruising – surface wounds that may indicate deeper problems.

These injuries arise because collision energy has to go somewhere; the belt protects you from ejection but transfers force into the body. Our Houston seatbelt injury attorneys help victims identify hidden harm and prove its true cost.

Can I Sue for a Seatbelt Injury in Texas?

Yes. Texas law allows injured motorists to seek damages when someone else—or something else—causes their harm.

  • Another driver’s negligence – If a distracted driver rear‑ends you on the 610 Loop and your belt cracks two ribs, that driver is still responsible for all injuries, including the belt wounds.
  • Defective seatbelt or vehicle system – A buckle that unlatches on impact or a pretensioner that fails turns the case into a product‑liability claim against the manufacturer. Texas imposes strict liability for unreasonably dangerous products, so proof of negligence is not required.
  • Installation or maintenance errors – Mechanics, dealerships, or fleet owners who ignore recalls or mis‑install equipment can share liability.

Pinpointing every liable party is critical. Seatbelt injury attorney Stephen Goldenzweig works with crash‑reconstruction specialists and automotive engineers to trace defects and negligence so you recover from everyone at fault.

How Does Not Wearing a Seatbelt Affect My Claim?

Texas requires seatbelt use, but failing to buckle up does not bar recovery. The state’s 51 percent modified comparative‑fault rule simply reduces compensation by your share of fault. Insurers will argue you worsened your injuries; we counter with medical testimony proving the collision—not the missing belt—was the primary cause. Even unbelted passengers can succeed when the other motorist’s negligence dominates. Our Houston car accident lawyers know how to neutralize the “seatbelt defense” and protect your right to compensation.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Seatbelt‑Related Injuries?

Liability can stretch well beyond an inattentive driver.

  • Negligent motorists – the first and most common defendant.
  • Seatbelt and auto manufacturers – responsible for design or manufacturing defects.
  • Dealerships, repair shops, or fleets – if they ignored a recall or improperly serviced the restraint.
  • Employers or transportation companies – when faulty belts in commercial or rideshare vehicles injure passengers.

Multiple defendants may share the burden. Our Houston personal injury attorney Stephen Goldenzweig strategically pursues every avenue so no source of compensation is left untapped.

What Compensation Can I Recover?

Victims can demand damages that reflect the full impact of their injuries:

  • Medical expenses – ER care, surgery, hospitalization, rehab, future treatment.
  • Lost wages and diminished earning capacity – income you miss now and reduced ability to earn later.
  • Pain and suffering – physical agony and the emotional fallout of a violent crash.
  • Scarring or disfigurement – visible reminders such as belt‑line scars across the chest or neck.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life – hobbies, family activities, or daily tasks you can no longer do.
  • Punitive damages – in rare product cases where a manufacturer knew of—but hid—a dangerous defect.

Our seatbelt injury lawyers at Goldenzweig Law Group calculate every dollar, relying on doctors, economists, and life‑care planners to ensure insurers respect the claim’s true value.

Uncommon Seatbelt Injury Scenarios

Complex facts do not intimidate us. We have handled and studied cases involving:

  • Buckle failure and ejection – A torn belt or popping latch in a Highway 290 rollover can throw an occupant from the vehicle.
  • Rollover hang injuries – Victims suspended upside‑down by the belt may suffer cervical fractures or strangulation.
  • Seat Belt Syndrome in children – Adult belts riding high across a child’s abdomen can sever intestines or damage the spine.
  • Pregnancy‑related trauma – Force across the womb can harm mother and unborn child.
  • Post‑crash entrapment – Locked mechanisms that trap occupants inside a burning or submerged car.

These unusual patterns demand rapid investigation and specialized experts. Stephen Goldenzweig and his team of Houston seatbelt injury attorneys marshal the right resources to prove liability in even the rarest circumstances.

How Can a Houston Seatbelt Injury Lawyer Help Me?

An experienced advocate levels the playing field. We:

  1. Investigate – gather crash reports, scene photographs, black‑box data, medical records, and recall notices.
  2. Secure experts – biomechanical engineers, safety‑restraint specialists, and treating physicians.
  3. Handle insurers – shield you from adjuster tactics that blame the belt or your own actions.
  4. Build the claim – document damages, draft legal theories, and preserve evidence before it disappears.
  5. Negotiate and litigate – press for a settlement or file suit and try the case when defendants underpay.
  6. Support your recovery – connect you with leading Houston medical providers and keep you informed every step.

While you heal, our Houston seatbelt injury lawyer Stephen Goldenzweig fights for the justice you deserve.

Why Choose Goldenzweig Law Group for Your Seatbelt Injury Case?

  • Focused experience – More than a decade devoted to personal‑injury law, including numerous belt‑related claims.
  • Personal attention – Stephen personally manages each file; you are never handed off to a case manager.
  • Contingency fee – No win, no fee. You owe nothing upfront.
  • Local insight – Our Bellaire office is minutes from downtown courts and the crash corridors where these accidents occur.

We measure success by how completely we restore our clients’ lives.

About Goldenzweig Law Group

Goldenzweig Law Group is a full-service personal injury firm in Houston dedicated to treating clients like family. They provide personalized legal support, help with medical care, and fight for full compensation — all with no upfront fees.

How Long Do I Have to File a Seatbelt Injury Lawsuit in Texas?

Most personal‑injury actions carry a two‑year statute of limitations counted from the date of the wreck. Wrongful‑death claims follow the same period beginning on the date of death. Minors and a few other exceptions may extend the deadline, but missing it almost always destroys the case.

Contact Goldenzweig Law Group seatbelt injury lawyers quickly so evidence stays fresh and the suit is filed on time.

FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a seatbelt injury lawyer?

We work on a contingency fee. You pay nothing unless we secure compensation. Initial consultations are free.

My family member died because a defective belt failed. Do we have a case?

Yes. You may pursue a wrongful‑death claim for funeral costs, lost support, and intangible losses. We handle these cases with compassion and urgency. LinkinternallytoWrongfulDeathpageLink internally to Wrongful Death page

Should I still wear a seatbelt if it can hurt me?

Absolutely. Seatbelts reduce fatal injuries dramatically. The potential for belt‑related harm is far outweighed by the protection they provide, and the law requires you to buckle up.

Get a Free Consultation

You don’t have to face powerful insurers or manufacturers alone. Call 713-561-5003 or visit us at 6575 West Loop South, Suite 420, Bellaire, TX 77401 for a free case review with a Houston seatbelt injury lawyer. Our phones are answered 24/7, and we charge no fees unless we win. Let us fight while you focus on healing.