There are many methods in place to encourage wearing a seat belt. From the constant alarm that plays if your seat belt is not buckled to the road signs reminding you about the penalties for failure to use the safety measure, you likely buckle up every time. However, if you forget, the ramifications can be severe and, in some cases, deadly. If you were injured as a result of another driver, you should reach out to our San Angelo, Texas car accident lawyer to help assess your case.
Can Wearing a Seat Belt Keep Me Safe?
One of the most essential reasons to wear a seat belt is because it can help keep you safe should you get involved in a car crash. In many instances, the injuries you could sustain as a result of a collision are severe and sometimes fatal. However, wearing a seat belt can decrease the odds of life-threatening injuries.
Similarly, if you’re involved in a crash, you may be ejected from the vehicle due to the force of impact. However, wearing a seatbelt can help prevent this, as it secures you to the seat. If you are ejected, it can result in road rash, broken bones, brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries.
Will My Insurance Rates Increase?
If caught driving without wearing a seat belt or ensuring your passengers are properly secured, you may think the hefty fine is the only price you’ll pay. However, some insurance companies will see the non-moving violation and raise your rates.
Though it’s not as common for non-moving violations to increase your insurance premium, you still risk facing an increase. Failure to wear a seat belt indicates to your insurance company that you are not a safe driver, which can lead to increased rates. This is especially true for those with multiple fines for failure to wear a seat belt.
Can Failure to Wear a Seat Belt Hurt My Claim?
In some states, the absence of a seat belt in a collision doesn’t impact your ability to recover damages from the driver at fault. However, in Texas, you may find it more difficult to receive compensation, as the law only covers damages caused by the other driver. This means if you were ejected from the vehicle because you were not wearing a seat belt, you would not receive compensation for damages caused by that injury.
If you were not wearing a seat belt and were the victim of a collision, you’ll want to contact our law firm today. Ensuring you have a competent lawyer assess your case is essential to receiving the damages you deserve, otherwise, you may receive very little compensation for the injuries you’ve sustained at the hands of a negligent driver.
The Mathis Law Firm is available for free consultations and would like to remind you to buckle up before taking off.
