Seatbelts and Airbags May Reduce Facial Injuries in Car Accidents

Reuters Health recently reported that the results of a new study indicate that wearing a seatbelt and having a vehicle with airbags when a car accident occurs may reduce the risk of broken facial bones. More specifically, individuals in a car accident who used these protective devices were anywhere from 18 to 53 percent less likely to suffer a facial fracture that necessitated treatment at a trauma center. While previous studies had resulted in similar findings, researchers attribute the findings of this study, at least in part, to improvements in technology and increases in legislation concerning airbags and seatbelts.

The study focused on data from the National Trauma Data Bank reported between 2007 and 2012. The data showed that 516,106 individuals visited trauma centers following car accidents during that time period. Of those individuals, 56,422 individuals had at least one facial fracture. The most common type of facial fracture was a broken nose, followed by midface and other types of facial fractures. Among the injured individuals, 27 percent were using only a seatbelt, six percent were using only an airbag, and nine percent used both safety features. These figures indicate that the individuals who had used at least one protective device were far less likely to suffer facial fractures. In fact, people who used only an airbag were 18% less likely to sustain a facial fracture, 43% less likely if they used only an airbag, and 53% less likely when they used both safety features. This data proves that the fear that some have of an airbag worsening the incidence of facial fractures is completely unfounded. Likewise, as the general usage of safety features like seatbelts and airbags increased, the likelihood of facial fractures decreased.

While modern motor vehicles have many safety features available, motor vehicle accidents involving serious injuries or even death still occur on a regular basis on Wisconsin roadways. Having a skilled and experienced injury on your side to help you navigate the legal system is an essential part of obtaining compensation for your losses. For more information about how to properly handle your personal injury claim, contact the Wisconsin personal injury lawyers of Boller & Vaughan today.