Wearing a seat belt is the most important safety precaution you can take to prevent death and serious injury in a car accident and since 1975 it is estimated that nearly 300,000 US lives have been saved simply by wearing a seat belt. Here are some interesting facts:
• The overall seat belt use in 2013 was 87 percent.
• Front seat passengers are particularly vulnerable when not wearing a seat belt with the ever present risk of being thrown from the vehicle in a crash. When worn correctly lap and shoulder seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent and moderate to critical injury by 50 percent.
• Seat belts not only save lives they also save $50 billion a year in medical care, loss of earnings and other expenses related to injury.
• Any compensation you may be entitled to following an automobile accident may be reduced by as much as 50 percent, if you were not wearing a seat belt.
It takes two seconds to put on a seat belt; make it a rule that the car does not move until everyone is buckled up and this is a great habit to instill in children and teens. This simple action will soon become a habit which could save your life no matter what vehicle you are traveling in.
If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident in Connecticut, contact the Stamford accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation.
