Is Seatbelt Use on the Rise?

The statistics and the research support drivers and car occupants wearing their seatbelt decrease the risk of severe injuries and death in car accidents. Not every person wears their seatbelt, but the information collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that the number of people wearing their seatbelts is on the rise. According to NHTSA, seatbelt use increased from 88.5% in 2015 to 90.1% in 2016. Since 2000, the trend for wearing seatbelts has increased and with it, the percentage of fatalities in daytime accidents has decreased.

What if You Wear Your Seatbelt and Are Injured in an Arizona Accident?

If you are in an Arizona car accident and you or your loved ones are injured, you have the right to file an Arizona personal injury claim for compensation. The Arizona personal injury lawyers at ELG can help you with your claim. The Phoenix car accident attorneys at ELG only work on personal injury cases. We understand how difficult it is to recover from injuries and the trauma that an accident causes. We will fight the legal battles so that you get a fair settlement to help you pay for your damages.

You can obtain compensation regardless of if you were wearing a seatbelt or not. It is advised to wear a seatbelt every time you get behind the wheel and to encourage your passengers to wear one as well. When lap or shoulder seat belts are used for front-seat passengers and drivers the risk for fatal injuries decreases by 45% and it cuts the risk for significant injuries by 50%. Seatbelts have saved many lives. In 2014 close to 13,000 people survived their car accidents because they wore their seatbelts.

Those living in the western portion of the country tend to wear their seatbelts more than the rest of the country. When a state is a primary law state meaning a law enforcement officer can pull a car over for not wearing a seatbelt, the rates of use are much higher than in states where there are no laws or where the laws are less strict. Secondary law states are those where you can’t be pulled over for simply not wearing a seatbelt but you can receive a citation if you are pulled over for another traffic infraction and the officer then sees you don’t have your seatbelt on.

In Arizona, all front-seat passengers must be buckled in but there is no requirement for those seated in the rear. Arizona also mandates that any individual under the age of 16 must have their seatbelt on regardless of where they are sitting. Arizona is a secondary law state, so while you won’t be pulled over if you aren’t wearing a seatbelt, an officer has the right to write you a ticket.

Speak to an Experienced Arizona Car Accident Attorney Today

Arizona car accidents happen to even the most responsible drivers and so no matter where you sit, you should always wear your seatbelt to ensure your safety. To preserve your legal rights and to obtain the most compensation possible from your claim, call the Phoenix car accident attorneys at ELG today at (623) 877-3600 to schedule your free consultation.