Wearing a seat belt can save your life.
It has been proven repeatedly that no matter where you are driving, a seat belt can save your life in a car accident. In fact, according to the National Highway Safety Administration, more than 15,000 lives are saved each year in the United States because drivers and passengers wore seat belts when they were involved in a car accident.
Seat belts provide five main protections, which are essential. These protections include:
- Keep occupants inside the vehicle: Angela Osterhuber, director of the Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project in Media, PA, says, “It’s a myth that people are better off being thrown clear from the crash. People thrown from a vehicle are four times more likely to be killed than those who remain inside.”
- Restrain occupants: Osterhuber says, “Restraints are designed to contact your body at its strongest parts. For an older child and adult, these parts are the hips and shoulders, where the seat belt should be strapped.”
- Spread out the force of the collision: Rather than placing all stress on one area, a seat belt spreads the force of a crash over a wide area of the body.
- Slow the body down: “Seat belts help extend the time it takes to slow down in a crash,” says Osterhuber.
- Protect the brain and spinal cord: Unquestionably, brain and spinal cord injuries are very serious and potentially deadly. A seat belt is designed to protect these two critical areas.
St. Louis Car Accident Lawyers
Seat belts can certainly save lives. However, car accidents still occur and may result in injury or damage. If you are involved in a St. Louis car accident, contacting a car accident attorney is important. The Hoffmann Law Firm has a proven track record of successfully handling car accident claims in the St. Louis area. Call (314) 361-4242 today to schedule a free consultation.
photo credit: goodgerster