Seat Belts and Car Accidents

While the saying, "Seat belts save lives" may seem cliche, there is a strong degree of truth behind the sentiment.

2012-09-19

NEW YORK, NY, September 19, 2012 (Press-News.org) While the saying, "Seat belts save lives" may seem cliche, there is a strong degree of truth behind the sentiment. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 10,000 people survive car accidents every year as a result of wearing their seat belt.

There is also substantial evidence indicating that failure to wear a seat belt substantially increases your risk of serious injury or death in a car accident. The NHTSA estimates that roughly 63% of car accident fatalities involve people who were not wearing a seat belt.

The data supporting the safety benefits of seat belts have led many states to enact laws requiring front seat passengers to wear seat belts. Some states have even made not wearing a seat belt a primary offense. In other words, it is sufficient reason for a police officer to pull you over and issue a ticket.

It is important to remember that wearing your seat belt does not guarantee that you will walk away from a car accident unscathed. On the contrary, it is still very possible that you can sustain serious, life altering injuries if you are wearing your seat belt. However, wearing your seat belt certainly will decrease your risk of serious injury and potentially save your life in many instances.

Defective Seat Belts

While the NHTSA does not collect data regarding defective seat belts, there have been plenty of documented occurrences of malfunctioning seat belts that have led to serious personal injury in a car accident. In fact, several vehicle manufacturers have issued recalls on defective seat belts in the last ten years.

Seat belts can become defective and malfunction for a variety of reasons, including:

- Design flaws
- Assembly errors
- Improper labeling
- Insufficient directions

Injuries associated with defective seat belts are often severe. Some of the most common include:

- Brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Injuries to the upper and lower limbs
- Chest injuries
- Death

If you suffered an injury due to a defective seat belt, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your damages in a product liability lawsuit. It is important to work with an experienced attorney who possesses the skills necessary to hold the negligent auto manufacturer accountable for your damages.

For additional information regarding the impact of seat belts on the severity of car accidents, please visit the website of The Law Offices of Marc S. Albert, serving clients in the New York City metropolitan area at http://msainjurylaw.com.

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Seat Belts and Car Accidents

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