When it comes to driving a vehicle, responsibility and awareness play huge roles. You need to be a rational and attentive driver for you and others around you to be safe. The first and main precaution you can take is for you and all other passengers in your vehicle to wear a seatbelt. Without wearing your seatbelt, you are putting yourself at a great risk of severe injuries and even worse, it can be life-threatening in case of an accident. However, many people get into their car and drive, either not thinking about wearing their seatbelts or choosing not to wear them. Statistics show, more than half of the people killed in car crashes were not restrained at the time of the crash.
Before you get into your car and drive, take a few seconds to think about the possible dangers and consequences of not putting on your seatbelt. You need to understand and remind yourself about the importance of wearing it. In addition, if you don´t remember to put on your seatbelt or think that you don´t need to put it on, then most likely the other passengers, especially children, will think so too. This results in putting your life and the lives of all of the passengers in danger. Keep in mind that as the driver, you are not only responsible for yourself but for all of the passengers who are in the car.
Seatbelts are designed to protect drivers and passengers from injuries. Let´s take a closer look at the possible consequences of not wearing a seatbelt:
- Death – Not wearing a seatbelt can cause fatal injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seatbelts save lives. They reduce the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passengers by 45 percent and light-truck occupants by 60 percent. (https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/seat-belts). Wearing a seatbelt saves you from being thrown out of the vehicle and colliding with another vehicle, person or object.
- Injury – If you don´t use a seatbelt or don´t use it properly, this can result in serious injuries far greater than if you use a seatbelt. Thesemay include injuries to the head, chest, abdomen, neck and spine and can cause internal bleeding, muscle and skeletal injury, fractures and broken ribs, pneumothorax (collapsed lung), whiplash (a forced movement of the head and neck) and traumatic brain injury (an external force causing brain malfunction).
- Stress – Car accidents resulting in serious injuries or fatal consequences are stressful and devastating. It is stressful for you and the passengers. It also becomes stressful for your family and friends. Overall, you end up affecting others, not just yourself. Furthermore, stress, anxiety and depression can affect a person´s life.
- Costs – Besides the highest price you could pay which is your own life and the lives of others, there are also costs associated with car damage, property damage, physical damage and medical expenses. Whoever is considered responsible for any vehicle damages in a car accident, either you or the other person involved in the car accident, is required to cover all costs through car insurance.
If you have the misfortune of being in a car accident that involves bodily injuries or a fatality, a Car Accident Injury Attorney can assist you with your case. Car Accident Injury Attorneys provide legal advice, help you navigate the possibilities, assist you with paperwork that may be overwhelming and confusing, and confront the problems that need to be resolved with car insurance claims. Although it is best to prevent these situations from happening by taking the necessary safety measures – starting with wearing your seatbelt – accidents occur every day. Therefore, if you are involved in a car accident, then you may need to find a Car Accident Injury Lawyer who can represent you.
The Law Offices of Brian J. Elbaum, have professional New York Attorneys experienced in a variety of practice areas including Car Accident Injuries, Car Accidents and Wrongful Death. Contact us for a free case review.