Why Everyone Should Wear a Seat Belt
Despite the fact that motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death in the United States and right here in Florida, many people still don’t use a seat belt on every car ride. Sadly, some drivers and passengers disregard the fact that statistics continue to confirm that the simple action of wearing one can be the determining factor in whether a collision becomes a fatal one. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of teens and adults in specified age ranges who died in crashes in 2016 were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
The Difference Seatbelts Can Make
Seat belt use is one of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make because it is one of the most effective ways to save lives and reduce injuries in the event of a crash. The National Highway Safety and Transportation Association has asserted that merely buckling up and using a seat belt saved approximately 15,000 lives in 2017 alone. And sadly, it was also estimated that over 2,500 more people who were involved in fatal collisions would have lived had they simply been wearing seat belts. Both drivers and passengers should understand that buckling up in the front seat of a passenger car:
- Can reduce your risk of a fatal injury by 45 percent; and also
- Cuts your risk of incurring a moderate to critical injury in half.
Understanding the Potential Consequences
Unfortunately, it is clear that there are serious potential implications that can result from choosing not to or improperly wearing a seat belt. As outlined above, the most serious consequence is the possibility of becoming involved in an accident that leads to fatalities. However, there are also other potential consequences that can result from choosing not to wear a seat belt. These include:
- The consequences of breaking the law. Florida law is very clear about the fact that both drivers and passengers are generally legally required to wear a seatbelt. If you’re not doing so, there is a good chance that you have broken the law and, therefore, you can face legal repercussions in addition to any potential injuries.
- The potential to damage your future personal injury claim. Because your own negligent actions affect the amount you are able to recover in a Florida personal injury lawsuit, your ability to be successful with a claim against an adverse party will be limited if it can be established that you were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident and that this action was a contributing cause.
You Can Depend on Us For Help
Regardless of whether you were wearing a seatbelt at the time of an accident that caused you to become injured, you will need the help of an experienced legal team to help you protect your rights and ensure that you are able to hold any responsible parties accountable. As the experienced Miami personal injury attorneys of the Pendas Law Firm, we have helped many people who have been injured because of someone else’s negligence and we are here to help you be successful with your claim. Contact us for help today.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Ocala, Tampa, Bradenton, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Fort Myers and Daytona Beach areas.
Resource:
cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/seatbelts/facts.html
https://www.pendaslaw.com/safety-tips-for-sharing-the-road-with-large-trucks/
