The Texas Department of Transportation indicates that in 2021, the number of deadly car accidents in Texas was over 15% higher than it was in 2020. There were 4,489 lives lost from car accidents in 2021, while there were 3,896 deaths from crashes in 2020. In addition to the deaths that traffic collisions produced, in 2021, 19,448 people suffered serious physical bodily harm.
If a driver was behaving recklessly and they hit you, causing you to suffer injuries and other damages, you may be able to hold them accountable for your losses. The first thing to do after you are injured in a car accident is to see a doctor to have your injuries properly diagnosed and treated. Then, you should not wait to take your case to a local and experienced attorney. Getting in to see an attorney as soon as possible after your crash improves your chances of building a robust case that can secure the highest amount of compensation.
Please call the Dallas car accident attorney at Rasanksy Law Firm for help after your car accident. Depending on the extent of your damages, you may be able to obtain a large cash settlement.
Click-It Or Tick-It
You may have heard the phrase click-it or tick-it before. The 20th anniversary of the popular campaign to urge drivers and passengers to buckle up took place in May 2022. The campaign is credited with saving just under 7,000 lives and preventing over 120,000 severe injuries in the aftermath of car accidents.
While many lives were saved and catastrophic injuries were avoided as a result of the campaign’s success in motivating people to wear their seatbelts, the catchy slogan also reduced economic damages from car accidents by more than $26 billion in the Lone Star State.
How Seatbelts Reduce Injuries and Death
Car manufacturers are always innovating and testing new technologies and methodologies to keep drivers and passengers safe when a car crash takes place. Some of the safety features that a car may include, but are not limited to:
- Anti-lock brakes
- Airbags
- Safety belts
- Electronic warning systems
- Rear-view cameras
All of these are meant to keep people from suffering catastrophic injuries and death from the immense force that comes about when a car accident happens. Each plays its role and provides some amount of protection for individuals riding in cars.
Seatbelts alone provide some of the greatest safeguards from harm. For instance, wearing a seatbelt can minimize front-seat passengers’ risk of death by 45% for passenger vehicles and an estimated 60% for those that ride in a pickup truck.
A seatbelt’s purpose is to hold a passenger in place when a car is hit so that their bodies are not propelled forward and through the glass windshield. It can also hold you back from being hit by the force of an airbag deploying. It is possible that the speed at which an airbag opens can be deadly. Airbags are a supplement to a seatbelt’s job, not a stand-in or substitute for not wearing a seatbelt.
In 2021 alone, 1,226 deaths in car accidents happened to individuals who were not wearing their seatbelts. This is a 14% increase from the previous year.
Everyone in a Car is Required to Buckle Up Under the Law in Texas
Under Texas seatbelt and car seat guidelines, every passenger, no matter their age and where they are located in the car, has to use a seatbelt. Children have to be in a car seat or booster seat that is appropriate for their size and weight. Very young babies under the age of two have to be riding in a child safety seat that is rear-facing.
Law enforcement can and will fine you if you are caught inside a car without your seatbelt. And, it can be an uphill battle fighting such charges. Judges do not provide much sympathy to individuals who have been cited for failing to wear their seatbelts. Additionally, being fined for not wearing a seatbelt can also impact car insurance rates, as insurance companies will view drivers as being careless and at higher risk.
What are the Penalties for Not Wearing a Seatbelt in Texas?
Individuals that do not wear their seatbelts will be charged with a misdemeanor violation, and that comes with a $25 ticket if it is their first offense. Should an individual continue to ignore the laws and not wear a seatbelt, then the ticket skyrockets. A subsequent offense will come with a fine as high as $250.
Not only is failing to wear a seatbelt dangerous, but it is also a costly error.
Speak with an Attorney at Rasanksy Law Firm Today
You must wear a seatbelt when you are in a car for every drive you make. No matter where you are sitting, in the front or back of a vehicle, and no matter how old you are, a seatbelt is not just recommended it is required under the law in Texas. If you do not wear your seatbelt you could be cited with a misdemeanor violation and have to pay a fine. This is the best-case scenario. In the most tragic situations, your decision not to wear a seatbelt can put your life at risk if you are in a crash.
If you were not wearing a seatbelt and you were injured in a crash in Texas, you will still be able to take legal action and file a compensation claim. However, a defendant is allowed to use your failure to buckle up as a means to put some of the blame on you for the damages you suffered. As a result, this may limit the amount of financial compensation you can secure.
It is critical that after a car accident, you have an experienced attorney helping you with a car accident claim, so you improve your chances of obtaining maximum recovery. Call Rasanksy Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation at (214) 651-6100.