Statistics from the Department of Transportation reveal that Mississippi has a major seat belt problem. Nearly two-thirds of people who die in motor-vehicle accidents in this state are unrestrained at the time of the crash.
Teenagers are particularly lax: Of the 170 teenagers who died in crashes between 2010 and 2012 in Mississippi, only 63 had fastened their seat belts.
These tragic statistics are particularly outlandish given the growing pile of research that proves properly fitted seat belts save lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that seat belts reduce the risk of serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half – and saved 12,802 lives in 2014.
Unfortunately, a seat belt cannot prevent all injuries. If you were hurt by a negligent driver in Mississippi, contact a Madison injury attorney from Ballard Law, PLLC. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income and non-economic damages.
Accident lawyer William E. Ballard will gather evidence, interview witnesses and help you claim the maximum compensation. You will pay no attorneys’ fees unless you recover compensation.
Call 769-572-5111 to schedule a free consultation. You can also visit http://car-accident.usattorneys.com/mississippi/ to learn more about car accident injury lawsuits in Mississippi.
4 Benefits of Wearing a Seat Belt
Modern vehicles come with built-in GPS, lane departure warnings and automatic crash avoidance, so the seat belt is not exactly the most innovative safety feature. However, it is still your most effective defense against injuries and death in the event of a collision.
It takes just a few seconds to buckle up and ensure your passengers are secure, but that small gesture could save lives. Here are four reasons why wearing your seat belt is so important:
- It Keeps You in the Car
The force of a crash can eject you from the vehicle. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, being ejected will increase your risk of dying in an accident. Your seat belt will keep you in the car, thus reducing your risk of dying.
- It Distributes the Impact of a Crash
A properly secured seat belt will run over your lap and shoulder. This design is intended to distribute the impact of a crash across the stronger parts of your body.
- It Helps Your Body Match the Speed of the Vehicle
Car crashes often involve sudden acceleration and deceleration, which can cause your body to jolt forward and backward. This can put intense strain on your head and neck. Your seat belt is designed to counter this movement by forcing your body to stay in place and match the speed of the vehicle.
- It Prevents Head Injuries
If your head strikes the dashboard, side window or steering wheel, it is likely that you will suffer a traumatic brain injury. Your seat belt will prevent this by holding you in place after the initial impact.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident that another driver caused, contact a Madison injury attorney from Ballard Law, PLLC. William E. Ballard will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Call 769-572-5111 to schedule a free consultation.
