Of all the safety features that motor vehicles come with, safety belts are perhaps some of the most important. Unfortunately, many drivers and passengers often choose to ignore this safety element. What such people don’t know is that seat belts help reduce the chances of getting injured or even killed in a car accident by half, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, NHTSA statistics show that seat belts save at least 15,000 lives across the country each year. If you are still not convinced why you need to wear a seat belt, here are several reasons why you should.
It’s a Safety Feature
Much like drivers, passengers need to fasten their seat belts as soon as they sit in the vehicle. Regardless of age, a seat belt provides maximum protection by restraining the body’s strongest parts, such as hips and shoulders. As a result, the seat belt:
- Prevents you from getting ejected through the front, side, or rear windows, resulting in death
- Prevents you from hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield, side window, door, or banging around the vehicle, depending on the nature of the accident.
These are perhaps the reasons why drivers are often charged with seat belt violation whenever they allow passengers under 18 to travel without a child restraint device or wearing a seat belt.
Prevents Spinal Cord and Brain Injuries
It’s likely to get brain injuries in a car accident, especially if you hit your head. Brain injuries can vary in severity, ranging from a minor concussion to a severe traumatic brain injury. Much like spinal cord injuries, brain injuries can be fatal. That’s why you need to buckle up as a seat belt will help protect these vital parts of the body.
Seat Belts Reduce the Impact of Crash
Restraining your lap and shoulder helps spread the force of an accident over a broad area of the body, putting less stress on any one part. This helps prevent a serious injury that can even lead to death.
Protects Pregnant Women Better
While a seat belt may feel a little too uncomfortable for pregnant women, wearing one protects them better. However, the pregnant woman needs to buckle up properly. Ideally, the lap belt should be fastened low (not against the abdomen), so it can pull down on the pelvic bones. This helps keep the pregnant women and the unborn baby alive in the event of an accident.
It’s a Requirement Under Florida Law
If your safety is not reason enough to fasten a seat belt, then you need to do it to avoid facing hefty fines. Under Florida law (§ 316.614), drivers and passengers aged 18 and above must fasten their belts. In fact, drivers who are not wearing seat belts may be pulled over and a traffic citation issued for a nonmoving violation, which attracts fines and other court charges. Therefore, make sure that you wear your seat belt at all times unless you have a medical reason or an exception under Florida law allows you not to wear one.
Airbags Won’t Serve Their Purpose If You Aren’t Wearing Any Seatbelt
Some people often assume that airbags can substitute a seat belt. However, that’s never the case. As a matter of fact, you may not get the most out of airbags if a sudden accident happens when you are not correctly restrained on your seat. In such a scenario, it’s possible to swing on the side or even fall outside the vehicle if your seat belt is not fastened correctly. That renders the airbags useless in protecting you from injuries. Therefore, wear your seat belt. It will help you remain in a position that allows the airbag to serve its purpose – prevent injuries.
No Seat Belt=No Insurance
After an accident, you may not be eligible to seek compensation if the insurance company establishes that you never had a seat belt on at the time of the accident. They will thoroughly investigate accidents just looking for reasons to deny you the compensation you are owed. So, buckle up! Don’t give the insurance provider a reason to deny your claim in case of an accident.
Seatbelts Make You Look Cool
There’s nothing cool about breaking the law. Besides, it’s not cool to get a traffic ticket or get involved in an accident and certainly fail to get compensated by the insurance company. So, wear a seat belt and take care of your life because that matters most.
Contact a Daytona Beach Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been involved in a car accident, it’s not unlikely to sustain injuries even when you have buckled up. You might have to deal with pain and suffering, huge medical bills, and lost wages. The good news is that you don’t have to bear the burden of another person’s negligence or fault. Contact the team of personal injury attorneys at Zimmet & Zimmet to learn how we can help. Our primary goal is to hold the at-fault party responsible for their negligent actions and ensure that you get the fair compensation that caters for all costs stemming from the crash. Reach out to us today at 386-202-1612 to book a free consultation.
