The Car Accident Lawyer in Miami, Jonathan Perazzo Reminds Motorists Why Seatbelts are Important
Seat Belt Safety and Injury Prevention
Wearing a seatbelt is one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent serious injuries or fatalities in a car accident. Seatbelts are designed to keep occupants securely in place, reducing the risk of being thrown from the vehicle or colliding with the interior during a sudden stop or collision. However, many people still neglect to use this crucial safety feature, putting themselves at greater risk.
Why Seatbelts Matter
- Injury Prevention: According to the CDC, seatbelts reduce the risk of death by 45% for front-seat passengers and reduce the risk of serious injury by 50%. In high-impact crashes, the force of a collision can cause unbelted occupants to be ejected from the vehicle, leading to life-threatening injuries.
- Airbag Safety: Airbags are designed to work in tandem with seatbelts. Without wearing a seatbelt, the force of an airbag deploying can cause more harm, such as facial injuries, chest trauma, or even broken bones.
Legal and Insurance Implications of Not Wearing a Seatbelt
Not wearing a seatbelt not only puts your safety at risk, but it can also impact insurance claims and legal outcomes following a car accident:
- Reduced Compensation: Many states, including Florida, have comparative negligence laws. This means that if you were injured in a car accident but weren’t wearing a seatbelt, your compensation could be reduced. The insurance company or opposing party may argue that your injuries were more severe because of your failure to wear a seatbelt, reducing the payout you receive.
- Insurance Denials: In some cases, insurers may outright deny part of your claim, citing your negligence in failing to take proper safety precautions, such as wearing a seatbelt.
- Legal Ramifications: If you pursue legal action after an accident, not wearing a seatbelt can weaken your case. It may be argued that your injuries were avoidable, potentially reducing the amount of compensation awarded for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
The Perazzo Law Firm’s Recommendations
The Perazzo Law Firm in Miami strongly advocates for wearing seatbelts every time you get into a vehicle. Their car accident lawyers frequently handle cases where failure to wear a seatbelt has complicated personal injury claims, leading to less favorable outcomes for the victims. They recommend the following steps to ensure seatbelt safety:
- Always Wear a Seatbelt: Regardless of where you sit in the car—whether you’re in the front or back seat—wear your seatbelt at all times.
- Check Seatbelt Functionality: Ensure that your seatbelts are functioning correctly. Over time, seatbelt mechanisms can wear down, causing them to fail when they are needed most.
- Educate Passengers: Make sure everyone in your vehicle wears their seatbelt. As the driver, you are responsible for ensuring all passengers, especially children, are buckled up.
- Stay Informed About Your Legal Rights: If you’re involved in an accident, whether or not you were wearing a seatbelt, it’s crucial to seek legal advice from experienced car accident lawyers, like those at the Perazzo Law Firm, to understand how seatbelt usage (or lack thereof) could impact your insurance claim or legal case.
By taking these precautions, the Miami car accident lawyers at the Perazzo Law Firm know that you can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury and avoid complications with insurance claims or legal actions.
Striving to be the best car accident lawyer in Miami, Jonathan Perazzo, personal injury attorney in Miami and founder of the Perazzo Law Firm, understands that the moments after a car accident that leads to injury, can be daunting for car accident victims. That is why, it is fundamentally important to contact a trusted and dedicated Miami car accident lawyer following an accident.
Contact us ONLINE or CALL 888-PERAZZO now
FREE CONSULTATION
GOOGLE REVIEWS FOR THE PERAZZO
