According to Fox 4 Kansas City, a local man had his life saved by a seat belt. A pickup truck was involved in a rollover crash in Wyandotte County. The crash happened on Interstate 70. It was the Kansas Highway Patrol that responded to the scene of the accident. While the driver suffered injuries, a representative for the agency shared that “he had his seatbelt on, and it saved his life!” Here, our Kansas City auto accident lawyer provides an overview of the importance of seat belts.
Seat Belts Reduce Serious Injuries and Save Lives
The research on seat belt safety is clear: They save lives. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that seat belts save around 15,000 lives each year. Many tens of thousands of more people are able to avoid catastrophic injuries because they wear their seat belts. NHTSA also estimates that the seat belt compliance gap—around 1 in 11 people do not regularly wear their seat belt—leads to around 2,500 deaths that could have been prevented each year.
Know the Law: Seat Belt Requirements in Kansas and Missouri
Drivers and passengers in the Kansas City area should wear seat belts at all times—even for short trips. Not only do they save lives, but seat belts are also required. Here is an overview of the law:
- Kansas: In Kansas, everyone is required to wear a seat belt. Law enforcement can stop drivers if front-seat occupants are not wearing seat belts. For adults in the rear of the vehicle, a seat belt violation is a secondary offense.
- Missouri: In Missouri, everyone is required to wear a seat belt. However, it is a secondary offense for adults. A citation for a seat belt violation can only be issued if the driver is stopped for another traffic infraction.
Can You Still Bring a Car Accident Injury Claim if You Were Not Wearing a Seat Belt?
Yes. That you were not wearing a seat belt is by no means a total bar on your ability to bring a personal injury claim for a car crash. With that being said, the lack of a seat belt can absolutely adversely affect your ability to get full and fair compensation. It could have a significant impact on your legal case. Both Missouri and Kansas operate under a comparative negligence system of liability. The defense may argue that failing to wear a seat belt contributed to the severity of your injuries. Courts may assign you a percentage of fault—and your compensation could be reduced. If you were hurt in a crash and were not wearing a seat belt, you need a top-rated attorney.
Contact Our Kansas City Rollover Collision Attorney Today
At House Law LLC, our Kansas City car accident lawyers are standing by, ready to protect your rights. If you have any questions or concerns about your options, we are more than ready to help. Call us now or contact us online to set up your free, no-obligation case review. With a legal office in Kansas City, we handle rollover crash claims in Kansas and Missouri.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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