The significance of seatbelts in terms of vehicle safety cannot be overstated. They are specifically designed to keep vehicle occupants in their seats and minimize the severity of car accidents and personal injuries. Nevertheless, some people continue to ignore the documented benefits of seatbelts. The following information from our friends at Herschensohn Law Firm, PLLC serves to underline the critical role seatbelts play in keeping us safe on the road.
Preventing Ejection
Car accidents can cause vehicle occupants to be ejected from the vehicle, which dramatically increases the chance of a fatal injury. By keeping passengers in their seats, seatbelts provide a vital layer of protection and help to prevent personal injury.
Distributing Force
In the event of a collision, seatbelts work to distribute the force of the impact across the body’s stronger areas, such as the chest, hips and shoulders. This even distribution helps to ease the strain on any one body part, thereby reducing the chance of suffering a serious personal injury.
Reducing Impact With Interior Of Vehicle
Seatbelts also work to prevent vehicle occupants from colliding with the interior of the vehicle, such as the dashboard, steering wheel or windshield. According to a car accident lawyer, these types of significant head, facial and chest injuries are another reason why wearing a seatbelt is essential to reducing the likelihood of personal injuries in car accidents.
Statistics On Seatbelt Effectiveness
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seatbelts have been shown to reduce the risk of death for front-seat vehicle occupants by 45%, and to reduce the risk of moderate-to-critical injuries by 50%. For light truck occupants, seatbelts reduce the risk of death by 60%. These figures highlight the crucial role they play in keeping us safe and minimizing the likelihood of suffering a personal injury in car accidents.
Common Misconceptions About Seatbelts
“I’m Only Going For A Short Trip”
This is no excuse; many car accidents happen close to home. In the vast majority of cases, even short trips without a seatbelt can have dire consequences.
“I Can Brace Myself In A Crash”
The human body is simply not prepared for the forces involved in an accident and trying to withstand them through bracing alone is next to impossible. Seatbelts are engineered to handle these forces and provide the necessary protection, lessening the possibility of a personal injury.
Seatbelts play a vital role in vehicle safety and help to reduce the risk of death and personal injury in the event of car accidents. Their job is to keep vehicle occupants seated and to spread the forces that are generated by an impact throughout the body, therefore cutting down the chances of suffering severe injuries. Contrary to common misconceptions, wearing a seatbelt remains one of the simplest and most effective ways of protecting oneself in the event of a car crash.
However, wearing a seatbelt does not prevent an accident. If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, contact a lawyer located near you for help immediately on your case.