The severity of a car accident and the types of injuries you sustain can vary drastically depending on the situation.
While you cannot control the behavior of the drivers around you, there are things you can do to lessen your risk of severe injury in a car accident.
Wear your seatbelt
Wearing your seatbelt can protect you from significant harm and keep you restrained and less likely to move violently in your vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, of the total passenger vehicle fatalities in the year 2022, an estimated 50% of victims were not wearing a seatbelt. Your decision to fasten your seatbelt could literally save your life.
Reduce your speed
The design of speed limits is to reduce the likelihood of you losing control. Speed limits take into account the environment, the curvature of the road, the amount of traffic in the area and potential hazards. Ignoring posted limits could put you at a much higher risk of losing control and crashing. The higher your rate of speed in a car accident, it is almost inevitable that your injuries will be far worse.
Always stay sober
Operating your vehicle under the influence of drugs and alcohol makes you much less able to coherently make decisions. Impaired driving is well-known for causing extensive injuries in horrifying crashes.
Your diligence to follow traffic laws, wear your seatbelt, mind the speed limit and stay sober can help you better control your vehicle if you do encounter a perilous situation. Your caution might be the reason you escape serious or life-threatening injuries.
