Highway Deaths a Reminder to Buckle Up

At this point in 2014, 271 people had died in 248 auto accidents on highways located in the state of South Carolina. In 2015, 316 people have died in 291 crashes. If highway fatalities continue to occur at this rate, car crash deaths in 2015 will easily top the 810 that were reported last year.

One of the biggest culprits of these accidents was the victims' failure to wear their seat belts. Of the 225 car crash fatalities with access to seat belts, 113 failed to buckle up. This suggests that half of these deaths may have been preventable had the drivers followed the law and used their safety belts.

At Steinberg Law Firm, we encourage all drivers and passengers to make a habit of buckling your seat belt, no matter how short their trip or how safe the route may seem. Getting in a crash without wearing a seat belt is not just hazardous to your life and long-term health, it can have disastrous financial and legal complications as well.

If you fail to wear a seat belt and get in a crash:

• Your medical costs will be two to seven times higher, on average*
• Your hospital stay will be three to five times longer*
• Your insurance premiums may increase
• Your legal case against the other driver will be damaged
  * stats taken from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

This last point is not often considered by drivers, but it is important. Even if the other driver was clearly at fault in the accident, their insurance may refuse to pay a significant part of your medical expenses, arguing that your negligence led to most of your injuries. And according to South Carolina car accident law, they may be within their rights to do so.

 If you are dealing with an insurance company unwilling to pay for a car accident that wasn't your fault, consider speaking to the accident lawyers at Steinberg Law Firm. Our determined and experienced attorneys have a reputation throughout South Carolina for achieving the best possible outcome for your case.

To schedule a free case review with Steinberg Law Firm, contact us by using the form at the top of this page, or by giving us a call at 843-720-2800. Steinberg Law Firm serves clients in Charleston, Goose Creek, Summerville, and throughout South Carolina.