Not wearing a seat belt is a huge problem in the United States as on average more than 2.2 million adult drivers and passengers are treated in emergency departments each year as a result of being injured in all types of motor vehicle crashes.
First let’s look at who is most likely not to wear a seat belt.
• Men are 10% less likely to wear seat belts than women.
• Adults who live in rural area are 10% less likely to wear seat belts than adults who reside in non-rural areas.
• Adults in the age range 18 to 34 are the most likely not to wear a seat belt.
• Passengers traveling in the rear of vehicles are less likely to wear seat belts increasing their risk of injury.
• Not surprisingly seat belt use is lower in states with secondary or no enforcement of seat belt laws, at around 80%, as opposed to states with primary seat belt enforcement laws, where this increased to 89%.
Those who do not wear seat belts are more likely to be seriously or fatally injured:
• Approximately 55% of teenagers (aged 13 to 20) that died in crashes in 2012 were not wearing seat belts.
• Research has proved that the use of adult seat belts reduces injuries in crashes and most importantly saves lives.
• The wearing of seat belts reduces serious injuries from vehicle accident to about half.
If you have been injured in an accident, or if you have lost a loved love in a fatal accident, the legal issues you are facing are complex, but you don’t have to face it alone. Please, call the Lafayette accident claims attorneys of Larry Curtis Law at 800-836-2064 today or contact us online right away.