phone Call
man fastens seat belt

Does Wearing a Seatbelt Really Protect Me?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of death among Americans between the ages of one and 54. Although studies show that the regular usage of seat belts is an effective way to minimize injuries and save lives in car accidents, many individuals still choose to drive or ride in vehicles without using seatbelts. In most cases, seatbelt usage can reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths by about half. When combined with air bag features in vehicles, wearing seatbelt is one of the most effective ways to avoid injury if you are involved in a car crash.

Seatbelt usage in the state of Wisconsin continues to lag behind the rate of nationwide seatbelt usage. Whereas about 86% of drivers and front seat passenger nationwide use seatbelts, only about 80% of Wisconsin residents do so. Research has found that seatbelts work to reduce or prevent injuries to motor vehicle occupants in a number of different ways:

  • Seatbelts keep the occupants inside the vehicle when a crash occurs.
  • Seatbelts restrain the strongest parts of the body.
  • Seatbelts spread out any force from a collision.
  • Seatbelts help the body to slow down in the case of a crash.
  • Seatbelts help protect you from brain and spinal cord injuries.

Despite the fact that motor vehicle accidents still result in deaths and injuries to occupants, the National Safety Council reports that seatbelt usage has been a major factor in the overall reduction of motor vehicle fatalities over the last several decades.

Seatbelts are an important safety feature that all drivers and passengers in any type of vehicle should use on a routine basis whenever entering a vehicle. However, sadly, seatbelts are sometimes not enough to prevent the occupants of vehicles from suffering serious injuries or even death in vehicle accidents. Fortunately, the Madison personal injury attorneys of Boller & Vaughan handle personal injury cases on a daily basis, and we know how gather evidence and present your claim in a way that is best designed to get you the compensation that you and your family needs and deserves. Don’t hesitate to take the first step and call our office today in order to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced Wisconsin auto accident lawyers.