Most people think the odds not being in a car accident are in their favor. Those people are wrong about that. The U.S. Census Bureau reports transportation accidents and fatalities to be on the decline since the 1990 but still a serious national problem. Kalka & Baer attorneys discuss the importance of vehicle seatbelts and airbags.
- Motor vehicle accidents – 10.8 million in 2009;
- Fatal collision accidents with other motor vehicles – 13,900 in 2009;
- Fatal collision accidents with fixed objects (trees, guardrails, etc.) – 11,600 in 2009;
- Georgia traffic fatalities – 1,284 in 2009.
Of these serious accidents, being ejected from a car is not as uncommon as you might think. Drivers and passengers who do not wear seatbelts can be thrown from a vehicle if the speed and impact of the accident is great enough. And, cars that lack effective airbags might not keep passengers safe in a collision. Some studies have shown that being ejected happens in nearly 25% of all car accidents, according to Digital Journ
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Another way to prevent an ejection from a car accident is by driving a car with airbags. Like seat belts, the notion of an airbag has been around for many years. It was around the 1980s when the first commercial airbags were included in automobiles. Then, since 1998, all new cars sold in the U.S. are required to have airbags on the driver and passenger sides.
Airbags are proven to reduce the risk of death and injury from an auto accident. Nowadays, some cars even are created with airbag safety in mind, having six or even eight airbags.
Benefits of Airbags and Wearing Seatbelts
When a car crashes, the car’s momentum changes instantly. Airbags and seatbelts are safety constraints to help stop the passenger(s) without harming the passenger(s). Seatbelts, when worn, help protect the people in the car from side swipes, fender benders, and front-on collisions. Both airbags and seatbelts have helped saves lives and prevent injuries from serious car accidents.
