3 Common Seat Belt Myths
Most of us travel in cars—either as a driver or as a passenger—without too much thought given to safety. We all know that car accidents can happen, but it’s hard to truly realize how frequently they occur. There were over 10 million car accidents in the U.S. in 2009, which averages to more than 25,000 accidents every day. There were about 33,000 fatalities due to those accidents, or about 90 deaths per day due to car wrecks.
Despite these numbers, many people choose to forgo seat belt use, feeling that they either do not need one or are safer without it. They often cite common misconceptions about seat belts in defense of their decision, including:
- A seat belt can trap you during an accident – seat belt entrapment rarely occurs, but if you’re worried about this, you can keep a utility knife or scissors in your car.
- I have an airbag, so I don’t need my seat belt – airbags are another great safety innovation, but they are meant to be used in conjunction with seat belts.
- I’m not driving far or getting on the highway, so I don’t need my seat belt – most accidents actually occur at slow speeds within miles of home, and people can be seriously hurt even in low-speed accidents.
These myths are often repeated and accepted as fact, when in truth, seat belts save thousands of lives each year, and people who do not wear them are at serious risk of injuries or even death in a car accident.
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Unfortunately, seat belts are not always reliable, and one of the most devastating occurrences is when you do wear your belt and it fails you. In these situations, the manufacturers or designers may not have done all that they should to protect you or your loved one. If you have been hurt due to seat belt defect, call 800-242-2874 to speak to a Wausau auto accident attorney at Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. today.
