Many automobile drivers and motorcyclists may complain about mandatory seat belt and helmet laws, citing them as examples of a “nanny state,” where the government tries to govern people’s everyday lives.  Regardless of what your state law requires, as car accident lawyers, we strongly recommend that all automobile drivers and all types of cyclists wear proper safety equipment when they are operating their vehicles.

For automobile drivers and passengers, seat belts are required to be worn.  According to the NHTSA, wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of fatal auto accident injury by 45% and the risk of moderate-to-critical injury by 50% during a car accident.  Seat belts also prevent ejections from the car in the event of an automobile accident, which tend to be fatal (75% of ejections result in death).

In California and other states, police officers are allowed to pull over a car for the sole reason that someone is not wearing their seatbelt to protect the public from preventable auto accident injuries.  As car accident lawyers, we recommend that automobile drivers refuse to start the car before all passengers in the car have put on their seat belt.  This can not only decrease the risk of a serious injury in the event of a car accident, but it can also save you time since you will not risk being pulled over for a seat belt violation.  Parents should set an example for their children by buckling up.  If the child learns that he or she is required to wear a seat belt when inside an automobile, he or she will most likely have gained the habit by adulthood.

Head injuries are the leading cause of death for motorcycle drivers.   Not wearing a helmet makes it three times more likely to suffer brain injuries in the event of a motorcycle accident.  In the first year of California’s enactment of mandatory helmet laws, there was 37% reduction in fatalities from a motorcycle accident.  When Texas weakened their mandatory helmet law, fatalities increased by 31%!  These statistics show that fatal motorcycle accidents can be prevented by mandatory helmet laws.  This is why our car accident lawyers strongly encourage states to enact universal, mandatory helmet laws to decrease the risk of a serious injury and fatalities in the event of a motorcycle accident.

Although some states and countries do not require these regulations, California does.  As automobile accident lawyers, we want automobile drivers and motorcyclists to make smart decisions that can decrease their risk of injury.

Please feel free to call us now at 1-858-551-2090 or you can click here for a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney.  We have a large bilingual staff that can assist you in either English or Spanish.  No fee if no recovery.