The Importance of Wearing a Seat Belt | Auto Accidents

More The Mike Hostilo Law Firm wants to make sure that you are always wearing your seat belt when riding in a vehicle. We know that auto accidents take place each and every day. This is why in our daily lives, safety devices are extremely important. The correct use of seat belts has saved many […]

Published: September 29, 2022

•

The Mike Hostilo Law Firm wants to make sure that you are always wearing your seat belt when riding in a vehicle. We know that auto accidents take place each and every day. This is why in our daily lives, safety devices are extremely important. The correct use of seat belts has saved many lives and it is important to understand why you need to wear a seat belt and wear it correctly.

Use of Seat Belt Safety Restraint Saves Lives

On January 1st, 1968, federal legislation made seat belts mandatory under Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 301, Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. With the exception of buses, all vehicles were required to have seat belts and assigned seating positions with this legislation.

Seat belts save lives. 63,000 lives were saved in car crashes between 2010 and 2014 due to a seat belt restraint system. Unfortunately, on the reverse side, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), passengers with unbuckled seat belts in a car accident resulted in 9,385 fatalities on US roads in 2014.

Seat belts are a lifesaver. To emphasize this point, the state of Georgia often places automated road signs along busy highways and roads, reminding drivers that it is the law to wear a seat belt and providing statistics on drivers killed in vehicle accidents on Georgia roads.

The Benefits: What Can a Seatbelt Do for You?

We all know that seat belts keep us safe in the event of a car accident. What you may not realize is how important a seat belt is in everyday life. Please keep reading below for the significance of wearing a seat belt in everyday life:

1. You're Held in Place

This is the most evident and significant advantage of belting yourself in. Car accidents generate a tremendous amount of force. Holding on or bracing yourself will not be enough to possibly prevent injury if you aren't properly secured in your seat with a seat belt. As a result, you may be thrown out of the car, causing serious injury or even death.

2. You'll Protect Your Passengers

Many people are unaware that passengers or items that are not properly restrained may cause injuries. During a crash, you could tumble around inside the vehicle if you aren't correctly buckled up. Not only will this increase your chances of being hurt, but it can also cause injuries to your passengers. It is not always possible to avoid an injury as a result of an external impact or roll but by wearing a seat belt, you can greatly improve your chances of staying safe and walking away from a car accident without severe injuries.

3. You'll Increase the Likelihood that Your Airbag will Save You

It’s not just seat belts that can save you in the event of a car crash, but also another useful protection feature are the airbags. It is important to remember that airbags are intended to be used in conjunction with seat belts. Do not depend solely on the airbag to save you. You're still risking being thrown out of the car if you're not properly belted in.

Did you know that if you don't wear a seatbelt and a sudden crash occurs, the airbags are not as effective? This is because you aren't properly restrained in your seat. If you are not wearing a seat belt, you risk the possibility of the impact swinging you to the side or even possibly falling out of the vehicle, making the airbags ineffective in protecting you from injury.

4. You'll Avoid Legal Issues

If the safety benefits aren't enough to persuade you to buckle up, the threat of legal consequences should be. Many states in the United States have seat belt laws, and violating them will result in hefty fines. By not buckling your seat belt, you might even end up with a traffic violation on your record. Going without a seat belt is not a good idea, especially when buckling up is fast and easy. Make sure you buckle up each and every time in order to avoid these fines.

5. Your Insurance will be Cheaper

If you're caught driving without a seat belt, your insurance provider will be notified. It could lead them to think you're a dangerous driver. Many insurance providers will jump at the chance to increase your prices if they believe that you might be a dangerous driver while out on the roads. In the event of an accident, going without a seat belt could even result in you losing your insurance coverage. Your insurance provider might even decline to pay for your damages if you were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

6. You'll Have a Strong Personal Injury Case

If you've been hurt in an accident that wasn't your fault, you can file a lawsuit with the help of a personal injury lawyer. Sadly, the best lawyer in the world will struggle to prove your case if you were not wearing your seatbelt at the time of the accident. This is particularly true if you live in a state where seat belts are required. In this case, the opposing legal team can and probably will argue that your injuries were caused or exacerbated by your lack of a seat belt. Your case will almost certainly be dismissed.

7. Seat Belts Make You Look Cool.

Breaking the rules is never cool. It's not cool to get a ticket, it's not cool to get into an accident, and it's not cool to not have accident insurance. So, buckle up and drive away safely because it is the most responsible thing to protect your life and your vehicle.

Bonus:

When you're not wearing a seatbelt, you will hear the beeping noise inside your vehicle. It will nag you constantly with the constant beeping, so save yourself the aggravation and wear a seatbelt. If you find that wearing a seatbelt makes you uncomfortable because it does not fit you properly, custom-made seat belts are also available in the market.

The Mike Hostilo Law Firm wants to remind you to always wear your seat belt. Better safe than sorry!

More Questions? Discover A Good Car Accident Attorney Near Me | Personal Injury Attorney Near Me

Trust our car accident attorneys to provide top-tier legal representation each step of the way. If you have been hurt in a car crash, our car accident attorneys are here to help – so contact Mike Hostilo Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation!

You can find us serving car crash victims in the following areas:

GEORGIA LAWYERS

(Park of Commerce) Savannah, GA

(Abercorn) Savannah, GA

Statesboro, GA

Warner Robins, GA

SOUTH CAROLINA LAWYERS