Debunking Seat Belt Myths

Seatbelt use is a crucial aspect of road safety, and using every safety feature that modern vehicles have available can significantly reduce the risk of severe injuries and fatalities should an automobile accident occur. While this is generally understood, there are still a handful of myths surrounding seatbelts that persist despite overwhelming evidence supporting their effectiveness.

It is important to know that legal professionals are available to provide you with valuable assistance after an accident injury in Clearwater, Hudson, and Tampa, whether that injury was sustained when wearing a seatbelt or not.

Myth 1: Seat Belts Are Uncomfortable

Safety belts are life-changing tools, and the misconception that wearing seatbelts limits freedom of movement and causes discomfort is simply not true as modern seatbelt designs are carefully engineered to provide both safety and comfort. If a belt is not comfortable, know that they are adjustable, ensuring a snug fit without constraining movement during normal driving conditions. Take the time and care you need to make sure your lap and shoulder belts are in the right position and adjusted according to your body type.

Myth 2: I Don’t Need to Wear a Seatbelt on Short Trips

Too often individuals believe that seatbelts are unnecessary for short trips or when they are traveling in rideshare vehicles. But accidents can happen at any point, including on routine rides to the store, work, or to meet friends for dinner. Many reports cite that the majority of accidents occur close to home, and even a low-speed collision can result in serious injuries, so you need to wear your seatbelt on every vehicle ride whether you are driving on a short trip or jumping into a rideshare vehicle or taxicab.

Myth 3: Airbags Provide Enough Protection

Just because a car or truck has airbags does not mean you can forgo seatbelt use. While airbags play an important role in enhancing vehicle safety, they are designed to work in conjunction with seatbelts, meaning they provide additional protection in the event of a collision but are not a safety feature to be relied on in lieu of seatbelt use.

Seatbelts not only secure drivers and passengers so they are not thrown around a vehicle in the event of a collision, they are also designed to keep individuals in the optimal position for the airbags to deploy effectively. So belts and airbags are working together to reduce the risk of severe head and neck injuries.

To discuss your recovery options after a car crash, if safety features were employed or not, share your medical expenses, lost wages, and other accident-related experience with a Florida personal injury lawyer.

Could you use guidance after an accident in which a person who wasn’t wearing a seatbelt sustained an injury? An injury lawyer can analyze the circumstances of the accident and determine if other parties, such as negligent drivers or vehicle manufacturers, could share liability for the injuries sustained. The attorneys at Roman & Roman will use their 100 years of combined experience to review your case and strategize a path forward. Schedule your consultation today.

Although the law firm of Roman & Roman has offices in Clearwater, Hudson and Tampa, we handle cases and claims throughout  Florida. We also meet personally with our clients if at all possible, rather than impersonally over the phone or on the Internet.