Car accidents can be very serious and can cause devastating injuries that can affect a person’s life for years. According to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents are the leading cause of death among people between the ages of 5 and 34 in the United States. In addition, in excess of 2.3 million adult drivers and passengers were treated in emergency rooms due to injuries sustained in traffic accidents in 2009 alone. The cost of medical care and losses in productivity in a one year period approaches $100 billion. As a result, the United States engages in a strong public policy initiative in an effort to prevent car accident related injuries.
One way in which car accident injuries can be reduced is by increasing the rate at which drivers and passengers use seat belts. Statistics indicate that more than half of all individuals killed in car accidents were not wearing their seat belts at the time of the accident. While seat belt use is on the rise, around 1 in 7 people still do not use their seat belts when driving or riding.
According to the non-profit group The National Safety Council, there are certain groups who are less likely to wear seat belts than others; these groups include commercial drivers, teenagers, people who drive pick-up trucks, and people who have been drinking.
The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety reports that statewide use of seat belts fell .7% between 2008 and 2009. Seat belt and helmet usage by vehicle type was as follows:
- 93.3 percent for passenger cars
- 90.5 percent for vans
- 73.2 percent for trucks
- Observed motorcycle helmet usage was 100 percent
The same report indicated that the number of people unrestrained people older than 5 years old who were killed fell by 9.1 percent from 2007. However, the percentage of unrestrained fatalities overall increased from 51 percent to 53 percent from 2007 to 2008. For children 4 and under, the number of fatalities decreased by 37% from 2004 to 2008; similarly to the older age group, however, the percentage of unrestrained fatalities is increasing, peaking at 50 percent in 2008.
Contact a Coweta County car accident attorney for a free consultation
Car accidents can cause serious injury and may even be fatal. If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, lost wages, property damage, or other damages. In order to determine whether you have a legal claim, it is important to have the circumstances of your accident reviewed by an experienced Coweta County car accident attorney. The attorneys of Shane Smith Law are dedicated to representing the rights of people injured in car accidents, and are committed to getting the best possible result for each client we represent. In order to schedule a free consultation, contact our office today at (980) 246-2656.