The term “submarining” refers to a dangerous phenomenon that occurs during a car crash that is caused by the design of the car’s seatbelt system. The seatbelt system in your car is one of the most important features that can protect you from death or serious injury in a car crash. However, if designed improperly, a seatbelt system can be the cause of your injury.
A seatbelt is supposed to remain on your hip bones during a collision. This ensures that the impact force is not applied to your internal organs and your spine bends in a more natural way. However, if a car’s seat is improperly designed in conjunction with the seatbelt system, the seatbelt may slide from your hip bones up to your abdomen during a collision. If this happens, great force will be applied to the abdomen where critical organs can be severely damaged. Moreover, the spine may bend around the seatbelt in an unnatural way, causing fracture. The classical definition of submarining is “the lap belt sliding over the iliac crest with lap belt forces affecting the internal abdominal organs during the forward displacement of the lower torso.”
Car manufacturing companies know of the danger posed by submarining and should design their seatbelt systems to prevent the dangerous phenomenon from occurring. However, some cars have been improperly designed by various manufacturers. Numerous people around the country have already been killed or seriously injured.
If you believe your injury may be the result of an improperly designed seatbelt system, the experienced lawyers at the law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner can assist with your claim. Call us today at (713) 222-7211 or 713-222-7211 for your free consultation.