Top 6 Reasons to Fasten Your Seatbelt

A seatbelt is the most effective safety feature in a motor vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 51% of passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2020 were not wearing one. That’s a total of 23,824 people who lost their lives and a 4% increase over 2019. While most drivers and vehicle occupants buckle up, some don’t and are putting their lives at risk; these are the top six reasons to fasten your seatbelt at all times:

• 1. It Can Keep You Alive in a Crash

A seatbelt keeps you restrained in the violent motions of a car crash. Otherwise, your body will keep its momentum when there’s a change in motion or sudden stop. This means you can be thrown about inside, or worse, ejected from the vehicle, which is almost always fatal. If you don’t wear a seatbelt, even deployed airbags won’t afford much protection. Being pushed into a rapidly inflating airbag can severely injure or kill you.

• 2. Injuries Can Be Prevented or Reduced in Severity

Car crashes often result in injuries. Wearing a seatbelt can avoid an injury altogether. That’s not to say you can’t be injured if you fasten your seatbelt. But most injuries would be far worse without one. Wearing a seatbelt can reduce the risk or severity of whiplash, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and other common injuries sustained in a car accident.

• 3. Seat Belts Protect You Against Other Drivers

You can do your duty to drive safely. That doesn’t mean other drivers will do the same. There are far too many aggressive, distracted, and impaired drivers on the road who are responsible for most car accidents. These collisions occur every day. However, wearing a seat belt is your best defense against their negligence and irresponsibility.

• 4. Fastening Your Seatbelt Keeps You Secure

Your seatbelt can help you maintain control of the vehicle if it starts to skid or spin. It will hold you in position. Otherwise, being pushed around can prevent you from making decisions and regaining control to prevent a crash.

• 5. It’s the Law

If you’re pulled over by law enforcement and not wearing a seat belt, you could get a traffic ticket. You could also receive a citation and a significant fine. Depending on the circumstances, there may be court costs as well. Therefore, wearing a seatbelt can save you money. In California, the average cost of a seatbelt violation is $162 ($490 for not properly restraining a child under 16).

• 6. Seatbelts Protect You Only When Worn Correctly

Always make sure the seatbelt fits correctly before you buy a car and each time you get in. Use seat belt adjusters or order seatbelt extenders if necessary. If you drive an older car, retrofit it to replace lap belts with lap/shoulder belts. It’s never safe to slip the seat belt under your arm; the belt should be secured across your pelvis and rib cage; keep the shoulder belt away from your neck and the lap belt away from your stomach.

Contact The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani

When driving a car, it’s important to do so responsibly and fasten your seatbelt. Obeying the rules if in an accident can help increase your chances of being fairly compensated. Our team has recovered millions of dollars in damages for clients over the years. We’ll provide the representation to help you get maximum compensation after a car accident, truck accident, or any other transportation accident. Call Jacob at 888-952-2952 to learn more and receive a free consultation.