Seatbelt Analysis

There are several methods for determining whether or not an occupant was belted at the time of a collision. Oftentimes when an occupant was belted during a collision, the plastic components of the seat belt will exhibit "loading marks". There may also be abrasions or stretching observed on the seat belt webbing. Other methods may include event data recorders (EDRs) and/or an occupant kinematics analysis. Unbelted occupants may leave evidence inside the vehicle such as witness marks, cracked windshields, or deformed steering wheels.