Despite recent breakthroughs in automotive technology such as backup cameras and tire pressure monitoring systems, the seat belt is still considered the most effective device in your vehicle that prevents injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 15,000 lives are saved each year in the United States due to wearing seat belts during a car accident.
Additionally, wearing a seat belt is the law. If you’re caught not wearing one, you could find yourself paying expensive fines and facing other consequences.
The following are several reasons why wearing a seat belt is so important:
- Secures your position – If your car starts to skid or spin out of control, your seat belt will keep you in your ideal position to take appropriate action.
- Helps your body adjust to the speed of the car – If you are not using your seat belt, your body will continue to move at the same speed of your vehicle after impact, causing you to hit the steering wheel or side window.
- Prevents ejection – You are more likely to die in a collision if you are ejected from the car.
- Protects vital body parts – Hitting your head in an accident can result in a traumatic brain injury. Any traumatic impact to the spine can result in several injuries such as partial or complete paralysis.
- Distributes force of impact – The seat belt straps over your shoulder and lap will distribute the impact force over the most important parts of the body.
If you suffered an injury in an Idaho car accident caused by a negligent driver, contact our Pocatello personal injury attorney at May Rammell & Thompson today.
