What is so difficult about buckling up?

A recent headline in the Daily World: Thanksgiving holiday crashes kill 6 Louisiana residents.

This depressing report on six separate fatal crashes concluded that most victims were not wearing seatbelts.

Whereas safety belt use has been made compulsory by the Supreme Court and the Government, there are still far too many accidents in Louisiana causing terrible injuries and death because the driver or passengers aren’t wearing a seatbelt. Safety belts, as proven in countless accidents and experiments, are crucial to your survival.

What happens in a crash?

There are two shocks: one when the vehicle hits or is hit, and a split-second later when the driver or any passenger who is not buckled flies forward and rams into the steering wheel, dashboard, windshield or front seat. In a roll-over crash the centrifugal force is tremendous, causing the doors to open or tear away, and anyone who is not firmly attached to the seat will be ejected into a deadly trajectory.

How do safety belts save your life?

Seatbelts help in many ways:

• They keep you inside the car: If you are ejected you are 25 times more likely to be killed or injured.
• They spread out the impact of the collision: The belts keep you in the seated position and spread the force of the impact over the strongest parts of your body.
• They reduce or prevent the second shock: Hitting the windshield, front seat, dashboard or steering wheel is what causes the greatest injuries.
• They keep you conscious: After the crash you have far better chances of remaining conscious if you had your seatbelt buckled up. This allows you to call for help, or even leave the car and help others.

People use all kinds of reasons for not wearing seatbelts, but these only reflect a mental attitude; they are not based on facts or do not stand up to reality.

Read this FREE book by the attorneys of the Young Firm to find out what to do and what to avoid after a serious vehicle crash. Order online now: A Guide to Steering Through a Serious Vehicle Accident in Louisiana.

If you were involved in an auto or truck accident in Louisiana caused by someone else, contact immediately the attorneys of the Young Firm for a FREE consultation on your case at (504) 680-4100 (local) or (866) 660-7220 (toll free) or by sending us an e-mail.