The state of New Jersey Department of Transportation reports that there were 290,212 auto accidents in 2014. Of those, 521 accidents involved fatalities, up from 505 fatal crashes in 2013. While these statistics may seem boring, when it comes to the safety of your family members and loved ones, nothing could be more important.
If you or someone you know holds a New Jersey driver’s license, it is important to understand that 79 percent of passenger vehicle occupants who were totally ejected from vehicles were killed in 2012 according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts.
New Jersey Safety Belts
To reduce or even avoid these types of injuries and fatalities, the state of New Jersey requires that all drivers, front seat passengers and all children under the age of eighteen wear a safety belt while in a passenger vehicle, van, pickup truck or SUV. If you are the driver of the vehicle, you are responsible for making sure that all passengers under the age of eighteen are properly buckled. If you fail to do so, the police can stop you for a violation and any passengers over the age of eighteen who were not wearing a safety belt can be issued a summons.
In September of 2015, the New Jersey law with respect to child passengers changed to include some of the most restrictive policies nationwide. Toddlers under the age of 2 who are less than thirty pounds must remain in rear-facing car seats. Older children must remain in a booster seat until they reach the age of 8 or 51 inches tall.
Safety Belts Save Lives
While the penalty for failing to wear a safety belt is only a few dollars, there is no doubt that safety belts save New Jersey lives. The state of New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety states:
- Saved Lives: In 2013, seat belts saved more than 12,500 lives nationwide. Studies show that a vehicle occupant increases their chances of surviving an auto collision by as much as 60% by using a safety belt.
- Reduced Injuries: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides that drivers and front seat passengers reduce the risk of serious injury by as much as fifty percent.
Contact a New Jersey Injury Lawyer
If you or someone you love is involved in an auto accident, there may be injuries that are not visible at the time of the collision. It is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible to rule out the possibility of serious injury. Once you have received medical attention, you should speak to an experienced New Jersey injury lawyer to determine if anyone is responsible for your injuries and damages.
The attorneys at Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. are familiar not only with injuries that result from New Jersey auto accidents, but also the types of injuries that you may have received from the vehicle’s safety features such as safety belts that cause bruising or air bag deployments that cause broken bones. Contact our attorneys today to discuss the specifics of your case.
