Seatbelts Could Have Saved Howard County Woman

A recent tragic car accident on a Howard County bypass had fatal consequences, claiming the life of a 31-year-old female after her car rolled over several times. The victim was initially taken to Howard County General Hospital, but was transferred to the University of Maryland Medical Center’s R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center where she died from injuries sustained in the wreck. Unfortunately, she was not wearing a seatbelt.

Car accidents like this occur too often in the United States. Wearing a seatbelt is one of the most effective ways to prevent serious injuries from occurring as a result of a car crash. When considering the fact that, in 2012, over 2.2 million adult drivers and passengers required medical attention in emergency rooms due to injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents, putting on a seatbelt should be the first thing both drivers and passengers do when they get in the car. Sadly, this does not happen nearly often enough.

The following statistics should highlight just how important wearing a seatbelt really is.

• Over half of 13-20 year-olds who were fatally injured in car crashes in 2012 were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
• Adults between the ages of 18 and 34 are less likely to use seat belts compared to adults who are 35 and older.
• Men are 10 percent less likely to wear seat belts than women.
• Adults who live in urban or suburban areas are 10 percent more likely to use seatbelts than people who live in rural areas.
• Individuals living in states that have primary enforcement seatbelt laws are close to 10 percent more likely to use seatbelts than states with secondary seatbelt laws.
• Passengers who are in the rear seats of a vehicle are less likely to wear seatbelts than front seat passengers.

How to Increase Seat Belt Usage 

• States that do not already have them can implement primary enforcement seat belt laws, and ensure that police and state troopers are enforcing the laws.
• Healthcare professionals should remind patients of the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt, and encourage them to make it a habit.
• Parents should set an example for children by always wearing a seatbelt, no matter how far they are driving.
• Parents should also follow the recommendations for car seats, booster seats, and seatbelts based on the age and weight of the child. A rear-facing child safety seat should never be placed in front of an airbag.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Help Injured Victims Obtain Maximum Compensation

If you or a loved one has sustained serious injuries in a car accident due to another’s negligence, it is crucial that you contact the experienced Maryland car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton so that we can determine the best legal course of action. We will thoroughly examine the details of your case so that we can pursue the maximum allowable compensation for your injuries. To schedule a complimentary consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, and Towson, allowing us to represent people injured in rear-end collisions throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland, and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood, and Elkridge.