While many motor vehicles are equipped with sophisticated safety features nowadays, none of them are substitutes for wearing a seat belt. However, many people continue to refuse to wear them, putting themselves at risk for serious injury or death in the event of an accident. In some cases, some might not realize the effectiveness of seat belt usage, but the fact is that seat belts save over 13,000 lives every year.
Here are some of the most common myths about seat belt safety and the facts to debunk them:
- Seat belts are not comfortable and restrict a person’s movement: According to the Transportation Safety Board, drivers often refuse to wear seat belts because they felt they were uncomfortable and restrictive. When correctly adjusted, drivers realized these issues were easy to resolve.
- Whether or not one chooses to wear a seat belt is a personal decision that does not affect others: If you are injured or killed in a crash as a result of not wearing a seat belt, this action can absolutely impact others, such as your family and loved ones. It can also potentially affect other motorists since wearing a seat belt can help you maintain control of your vehicle during an accident.
- If you are wearing a seat belt during an accident, it can keep you from escaping your vehicle: Wearing a seat belt can decrease your chances of being knocked unconscious, allowing you the chance to escape your vehicle in the aftermath of a severe crash.
- Your chances of survival are better if you are thrown clear of the wreckage in the midst of an accident: In fact, you are actually four times more likely to be fatally injured if you are thrown from your vehicle in an accident, so wearing a seat belt can save your life.
- Fastening a seat belt 20 times a day is a waste of time: Given that buckling up takes approximately only three seconds, if you were to fasten a seat belt 20 times within a day, you would have only spent about a minute on this task. Everyone has a minute to spare to ensure their safety.
- If you are driving at a slow speed, a seat belt is not really necessary: Even at a low speed. If you are in a vehicle that collides into another vehicle, your body will continue to travel forward, causing you to possibly hit the steering wheel, instrument panel, or windshield. If you are traveling at 30 mph, this is equivalent to the velocity one might experience while falling from the top of a three-story building.
Advocates and Allies for Justice in Lexington
At Goeing, Goeing & McQuinn, PLLC, our team of experienced personal injury attorneys are dedicated to righting the wrongs done to injured victims and are here to provide you with the compassionate legal support you deserve from start to finish. If you or someone you love was injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need to work with a seasoned attorney who will genuinely care about your case and help you recover maximum compensation.
Contact us today at (859) 757-4002 to schedule a free consultation.