Posted by the Charleston, SC Car Accident Attorneys at Anderson & Schuster, Attorneys at Law, LLC. Our Charleston auto accident lawyers are here to help those injured in car, truck and motorcycle accidents in Charleston, North Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Summerville and across the South Carolina lowcountry.
Most people have seen an television or billboard advertisement for South Carolina's Click It Or Ticket campaign aimed at encouraging the use of seat-belts in our state. The idea that seat-belts can help to save lives in car accidents is backed up by data that is difficult to refute. Either South Carolina drivers have become more responsible about wearing seat-belts on their own, or the threat of a ticket for not wearing a seat-belt appears to have lead to an increased number of South Carolina motorists wearing seat-belts.
A new study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that seat-belt usage in the state of South Carolina rose from 86% in 2011 to 90.5% in 2012. The survey data revealed that 16 states had seat-belt usage rates of 90% or higher. The national average for seat-belt use in 2012 was at 86% up from 2011 at 84%.
A spokesperson for the Highway Patrol stated that this increase is the result of education and enforcement of seat-belt laws. The NHTSA claims that seat-belt usage reduces the risk of fatal injury to front-seat passenger car occupants by 45% and in trucks, SUVs and minivans seat-belts can reduce the risk of fatal injury by 60%. Regardless of the reasons for the increase in seat-belt usage, traffic fatalities involving unrestrained passengers in South Carolina has apparently dropped from 64% in 2012 to 58.6% through the first half of 2013.
Unfortunately, just because a motorist is wearing their seat-belt does not mean that they will not be injured in a car or truck accident. The personal injury lawyers at Anderson & Schuster, Attorneys at Law, LLC may be able to help you recover from an at-fault party if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident. We would be happy to meet with you to discuss whether you have a case, and remember that our personal injury consultations are free of charge.
Source: The State: "South Carolina Buckles Up"
Our personal injury attorneys represent those injured in auto accidents in Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, Goose Creek, Hanahan, James Island, West Ashley, Isle of Palms, Sullivans Island, Folly Beach, Johns Island, Ladson, Awendaw, McClellanville, Moncks Corner and across South Carolina. If you have been injured in an auto accident, give our attorneys a call today to discuss your accident case free of charge.
