Police Women Killed in I-20 Crash Could Have Survived Had She Worn Seatbelt

A woman was recently killed in a car crash on Interstate 20 in Grand Prairie, Texas. Police officials who investigated the scene said that one car had sideswiped another, pushing the first vehicle off the interstate highway.

The 21-year-old driver of the car was not wearing a seatbelt at the time, which led to her being thrown out of the car and killed. The driver in the other car sustained injuries, but they were not serious enough to be life threatening.

According to police, the driver of the first car would likely have survived if she had buckled her seatbelt.

Rules on Seatbelt Use in Texas

Like all others states (with the exception of New Hampshire), Texas law mandates that all passengers and drivers use their seatbelts when driving. Your San Antonio car accident attorney will also know that law also emphasizes the responsibility of the driver for ensuring all passengers wear their seatbelts.

Your car accident lawyer San Antonio will also know that in Texas, driving without a seatbelt is grounds for receiving a hefty fine and making a court appearance. More importantly, statistics from the National Highway Safety Administration show that in 2013, 9,580 Americans who died in auto accidents were not wearing a seatbelt.

Common Reasons Used by People to Not Wear a Seatbelt

You’d think that with these statistics, people would appreciate the importance of wearing a seatbelt. But, as you San Antonio car accident attorney will tell you, that’s not quite the case. Sometimes, people forget, while others believe in these driving myths:

• I’m an excellent driver with no history of accidents.
• I’m strong enough to brace myself against the wheel.
• A seatbelt is dangerous if my car is on fire or submerged in water.
• I’m safe enough with just my airbags.

The best Car Accident Lawyer, San Antonio has to offer will easily refute these erroneous beliefs with these facts:

• Your ability as a driver can’t control the actions of other people on the road.
• Multiply your total body weight by the speed car is moving to see if you’re strong enough to brace yourself against the wheel. If you weigh 150 pounds and your car is going at 35mph, you’ll need to exert 5,250 pounds of force to brace yourself.
• Very rarely do collisions involve fire or water (0.005% of crashes)
• Airbags are safer when paired with a seatbelt

If you were in an auto accident involving a negligent driver not wearing a seatbelt, learn more about your rights for compensation with Barrus Injury Lawyers. Get in touch with the best car accident lawyer San Antonio has to offer by calling (210) 593-8709 for a free, no-obligation consultation on how to file your personal injury claim.