3 Important Reasons to Wear a Seat Belt

People have a lot of excuses for not wearing a seat belt, such as only traveling a short distance or not wanting to get clothes wrinkled, but none of them justify taking such a big risk. If you aren't wearing a seat belt and get into a car accident, the consequences could be devastating. As a reminder to buckle up, here's a closer look at why wearing a seat belt matters.

 Why Should You Always Wear a Seat Belt?

1. Avoid Life-Threatening Injuries
Although you could still get hurt in a car accident while wearing a seat belt, the chance you will sustain life-altering injuries decreases. In fact, wearing a seat belt in the front seat of a passenger car reduces the risk of fatal injuries by 45% and moderate to critical injuries by 50%.

This safety device restrains the hips and shoulders, allowing your body to slow down when vehicle speed changes during a crash. You won't slam against the dashboard or window and break bones or receive deep lacerations. You won't be ejected from the vehicle, either. Getting thrown from a car could result in traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord damage that leads to paralysis.

2. Abide by the Law
Each state has seat belt safety laws to keep drivers and passengers protected. In Georgia, all drivers and front-seat passengers aged 18 or older must buckle up. Regardless of where they are seated, all children aged 6 to 17 must wear this safety device.

If pulled over by law enforcement, an unbuckled adult driver or passenger could get a $15 fine. The fine is $25 when passengers 8 and older are unbuckled and $50 when children under the age of 4 aren't restrained.

3. Improve the Effectiveness of Airbags
Airbags often deploy in moderate to severe frontal or near-frontal crashes. By wearing a seat belt, airbags can do a better job at keeping the driver and front-seat passenger safe. When you're restrained, you won't collide with the airbag when it's released. Otherwise, the force of your body hitting the cushion while it's inflating could cause spinal injuries.

If you were involved in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver, contact our team at Starks Byron in Acworth, GA. We use our knowledge of personal injury law to help clients get compensation for medical costs and additional expenses associated with their accidents. Learn more about our team online and call (404) 737-6251 for a consultation with a compassionate legal advocate.