The number of car accidents in Virginia has been rising in recent years. However, many of these accidents are due to unsafe driving. Although you might think that it’s unlikely that you will ever be involved in an accident, it’s essential to understand that even seemingly small mistakes can have devastating consequences in the event of an accident. Hence, you should always wear your car seat even if you are driving around town on what feels like a routine trip to the grocery store or pharmacy.
- The State of Virginia Has a Mandatory Seat Belt Law
It is a primary offense not to wear your seat belt in Virginia. The police officers can pull you over and issue you a ticket if they see that you are not wearing your seat belt. It’s also important to note that it is illegal for anyone under 18 to ride in a vehicle without being properly restrained by a seat belt or child safety seat. The penalties for violating these laws are steep: fines up to $250 and points on your driving record. Seat belts can save lives and prevent disabilities long after an accident.
Unfortunately, some drivers don’t know how important it is to use them properly. If you find yourself in a situation where someone suffered injuries due to another driver failing to use their seat belt correctly, you might want to talk with an attorney about your next steps. However, in case of injuries from a car accident with another driver, you can use Kendall Law Firm to improve your car accident injury claim.
- Saves Lives
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a person wearing a seat belt is 45% less likely to be injured during an accident. It also helps protect your loved ones and children from being badly hurt by securing them tightly inside their seats. If all passengers use safety belts, car accident fatalities and injuries could reduce significantly. Hence, make sure you fasten yours before hitting the road!
If you secure yourself with a seat belt, you’re unlikely to sustain any serious injuries during a collision. There are different seat belts available today – lap-only, lap/shoulder, and 3-point harnesses. So, choose one that best suits your needs. The right type will depend on how often you drive and whether or not you have young kids who might need extra protection while traveling in your vehicle.
- Can Help Secure Compensation in A Court of Law
According to recent data from Virginia Commonwealth University, an estimated 28% of fatal car accidents involve a driver or passenger who is not wearing their seatbelt. Wearing your seatbelt isn’t just a law—it can mean the difference between life and death. It’s simply a matter of common sense: if you don’t wear your seatbelt, there is a greater risk that you will be ejected from your vehicle during an accident, sustain serious injuries, or even die.
In a compensation claim for damages related to a motor vehicle accident, such facts are essential for establishing liability. For example, if a passenger suffered injuries because they were not wearing their seatbelt, it would be difficult to prove that another party was at fault. Without any negligence on behalf of another party, it would be challenging to obtain compensation.
However, suppose you can prove that other parties involved in an accident were negligent by failing to secure themselves with safety restraints (or by being impaired). In that case, it becomes much easier to establish liability and therefore collect compensation for damages sustained through your claim.
- Accidents are Unpredictable
While they may be rare, there’s always a chance that you might get into an accident. That’s why it’s essential to understand your legal rights and responsibilities after a car accident. While accidents can happen in any situation, there are some situations where accidents occur more frequently—such as when you fail to wear your seatbelt. For example, a sudden stop or crash could eject you from your vehicle, potentially causing severe injury or death.
Hence, buckling up could significantly protect you from injuries during such unpredictable moments or accidents. In Virginia, failure to wear a seat belt is a primary offense—meaning police officers will pull over violators without witnessing another violation first. Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by wearing your seat belt every time you drive; it will always keep hold of you for your safety.
Conclusion
Restraining your child in their car seat is extremely important, especially during car accidents. Buckling up prevents passengers from being ejected from the vehicle in case of an accident. Even during sudden stops, inertia can act on unbuckled children into other passengers or hard interior parts of a car. It can cause severe injuries and even death. Buckling keeps you and your children safe! However, if you or a loved one has suffered injuries in an accident, it’s essential to contact a car accident attorney to help protect your rights.
