title: Transection of trachea due to improper application of automatic seat belt (submarine effect).
abstract: The seat belt has been a major contributor in minimizing injuries in automobile accidents. However, it often causes characteristic patterned injuries to the body relative to its application at the time of an accident. We report an unusual case of a driver who sustained a transection of the trachea due to the "submarine effect" from improper application of the seat belt.
authors.affiliation: Office of Medical Examiner, County of Westchester, Valhalla, NY.
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Fazzalaro
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012421:Rupture; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries*