While there are numerous new safety systems on vehicles and new distraction-free requirements, there is still one single thing you can do to substantially enhance your chances of avoiding injury or death in a car accident: Fastening your seat belt. Other safety precautions are necessary and can save lives as well, but wearing a seatbelt is still required and provides the best protection in the event of an accident.
Continue reading to discover more about seatbelts, how they protect you in a vehicle accident, and how to wear them properly. If you have already been in an accident, call 909-982-0707 to get a free legal consultation with Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas.
The most common causes of automobile collisions
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, speeding, breaking traffic regulations, and driving while distracted are the most prevalent causes of collisions in our state. Avoid these activities if you want to be as safe as possible. That can help you avoid getting into an accident in the first place, but correctly wearing a seatbelt can help you avoid harm or just have minor concerns if you are in a vehicle accident.
Adults and seatbelts: How to wear them correctly
Make sure your seatbelt is correctly fastened to ensure your safety. Put it on every time you get in your car, even if you are only going for a short drive. Even at 25 miles per hour, accidents can result in catastrophic injuries and death. Keep in mind that the majority of accidents happen within a few miles of a person’s house.
When you buckle up, the lap section of the seatbelt should be tight and sit low on your lap. The seatbelt should cross your chest in the middle and never rest against your neck. Seatbelts should still be worn by pregnant ladies. They should recline their chairs as far as possible when driving.
Tthe proper use of seatbelts by children
Children should travel in the rear seat and always wear their seatbelts to reduce their risks of being hurt in a vehicle accident. They should only be allowed to sit in the front row when they have reached the age of twelve. They should utilize child seats that are appropriate for their age and weight until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall or 90 pounds. Child seats should be at the back of the vehicle. A rear-facing kid seat should never be placed in front of an airbag.
Seatbelts, of course, are unable to prevent all accidents and injuries. If you have been harmed in an automobile accident, call 909-982-0707 to get a free legal consultation with Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas.
