The Seat Belt and Other Ways to Survive a Car Crash

A strap or belt woven from about 300 warp strands of polyester can protect you from injuries during a car crash. Most people often neglect this simple yet life-saving feature; so often that the CDC reports 53% to 59% of teens and adults in fatal car crashes were unrestrained at the time of the incident. And every year, millions still fail to wear their seatbelts.

Seat Belts Save Lives

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that seatbelts protect 15,000 people from injuries in car crashes every year. The strap not only keeps you from hurtling outside your vehicle after a strong impact.

But it could also restrain your hips and shoulders, keeping you from serious injuries. It can also protect your spinal cord and brain, preventing further damage to your body.

Drive Carefully — Not Just Sober

Buckling up is half the battle to safety on the road. The next step is to drive carefully. You may also ensure safer driving with one of the safest cars around. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety declared five models that are safe in the event you get into a car crash.

You should also keep your eyes on the road at all times. This may sound like a simple thing to do, but with mobile devices distracting your time on the road, you can look away long enough to get into a fender bender, at the least.

Try to Stay in Control

You may still be at risk even after all your efforts to remain safe on the road. You can’t control how other people drive, and other hazards may occur along the way, such as a truck leaking oil, or an obstruction on the highway.

It helps to remain calm, and to keep your wits about you when an accident occurs. You need to try because what you do after the crash could help your car accident lawyer build a strong case against the other party.

If you’re able to move, and the emergency services haven’t arrived, get out of danger. Help others if you can to prevent further injuries. Call the police. Get medical attention. And file a report to establish liability and give a fresh account of the incident. These things will provide substantial data for your lawyer to use in filing a lawsuit.

Another helpful step is to take a video of the scene. The video could help police officers investigate the scene, and determine who is at fault. It could prove useful during litigation.

Preventing Accidents

Car accidents have a lasting impact. You could end up with a debilitating injury, and be out of work for a time. Or you could incur a lifelong disability, forever changing your life. The damage to your car is the least of your worries after an accident.

So it’s important to practice safety whenever you get behind the wheel. Wear your seat belt, and make sure your kids and other passengers buckle up, too. Keep your eyes on the road, and practice defensive driving. And keep your wits about you should an accident occur.