- Car Accidents
Seat belts can save a life…or can they? Living in Carrollton, Georgia, means witnessing or hearing about various types of car accidents now and again. If you become a traffic crash victim at any time, a Carrollton car accident attorney may be of help to you. They’ll get you maximum compensation by holding the at-fault driver liable for your injuries. The liable motorist is usually the person who fails to care about your safety by breaching road safety rules.
While all drivers are responsible for care towards other road users, they must also mind their personal safety. That way, even when careless drivers cause an accident, they’ll sustain minor injuries. One of the best ways to limit your injuries in a car collision is by using the seat belt properly.
In this article, we’ll share the history of seat belts and the important work they do for us. You’ll also learn how to use seat belts properly to limit your chances of devastating injuries in an accident. Let’s get started.
A Short History of Seat Belts
George Cayley, an English engineer, invented seat belts as far back as 1800. However, Edward J. Claghorn, an American, patented it on February 10, 1885. Claghorn patented seat belts to keep New York City tourists safe as they journeyed in taxis.
Many years later, in the mid-1930s, US doctors began testing the effects of safety belts in preventing severe accident injuries. Following their discovery, they prompted car manufacturers to include seat belts in all their motor vehicles. Racecar drivers were among the first to wear seat belts because they needed protection from internal injuries.
From the two-point lap belts in use, Swedish engineer Nils Bohlin invented the three-point safety belt in 1958. He figured that the three-point seat belt provides better protection for drivers and passengers in traffic crashes. However, it wasn’t until 1966 that American laws made it compulsory for vehicles to have seat belts in them.
What Are the Benefits of Using Seat Belts?
According to the CDC, a seat belt is “one of the most effective ways to save lives and reduce injuries in crashes.” That’s especially when you compare them to other car safety features like airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, and others. According to the CDC report, while airbags provide added protection, they cannot be a viable substitute for safety belts. Safety belts reduced serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half and saved almost 15,000 lives in 2017.
The NHTSA report on seat belts provided the following facts:
- 47% of the 22,215 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2019 didn’t use their seat belts
- In 2017, 2,549 more people would have survived their car crash if they had used seat belts
- In 2019, 55% of those killed at night were unrestrained
- Many Americans are aware of the importance of safety belts. In 2020, the national use rate for seat belts was at 90.3%.
- Buckling up in the front seat of your passenger car can reduce your risk of fatal injury by 45%. In addition, it’ll reduce your risk of moderate to critical injury by 50%.
- Wearing seat belts in light trucks can reduce your risk of fatal injury by 60% and critical injury by 65%.
Important Seat Belt Safety Rules to Follow
More than just wearing safety belts, you must wear them properly to reduce your chances of severe accident injuries significantly. These are the most important seat belt safety rules to follow in Carrollton:
- Always buckle up before you start driving
- Children below the age of 13 shouldn’t sit in the passenger seat in front. Instead, they must use their seat belts in the middle of the back seat. In addition, young children should be properly restrained in appropriate car seats for their age.
- Pregnant women must ensure that their seat belts lie against their hips.
- Don’t place shoulder belts behind your back or underarm.
- Secure the lap and shoulder belts across the pelvis and rib cage. The lap belt shouldn’t rest across your stomach, and the shoulder belt shouldn’t be on your neck.
Get in Touch With Our Experienced Auto Crash Lawyers ASAP!
Seat belts are one of the essential safety features in your vehicle. However, even when you use them correctly, you may still sustain some injuries, especially in a high-impact crash. If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you could file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against them.
Our Carrollton car accident lawyers can help you navigate the complex claims process. We have a track record of success in guaranteeing justice for traffic crash victims in Carrollton. We can fetch you the huge settlement sums you crave too. Contact us for a free consultation today.
