3 Vehicle Laws Protecting You From Personal Injury

Vehicle Laws Keep Us Safe

Many laws at the country, state, county, and city levels aim to keep us safe while driving. These include speed limits and vehicle safety standards.

These vehicle laws and standards are designed to keep everyone as safe as possible in the event of a car accident. For the everyday driver, these laws are simple and easy to follow.

"Click It or Ticket" Law

Most people have heard the classic phrase, "Click it, or Ticket." This refers to the law requiring you to buckle your seatbelt when you get into the car, or face a fine if an officer pulls you over.

There's a good reason for this rule. Clicking your seatbelt not only prevents a ticket, but it also significantly reduces car accident deaths.

Seatbelt Studies Confirm Safety

A recent study supports this age-old, common-sense conclusion. It examined the effects of different laws on car accident deaths between 1999 and 2015.

The study confirms that seatbelt laws are directly related to higher seatbelt usage and lower death rates

Wearing a seatbelt is the easiest way to prevent serious injury in an accident. Seatbelt laws make taking the time to buckle up even more appealing.

Airbag Installation Standards

Laws requiring seatbelt use are just one type of car safety standard. Other safety standards include manufacturing requirements for car companies.

These laws mandate certain safety features to be standard in all vehicles. These features include:

• Lights
• Trunk releases
• Tire-pressure monitors
• Airbags

Airbags, in particular, have high safety standards. Some Ohio laws even differentiate between improper and proper installation of replacement airbags. A properly installed airbag can be a critical factor in a car accident.

Preventing Dashboard Injuries

Injuries from hitting a dashboard or steering wheel can be deadly. An airbag helps prevent these types of injuries.

Some of these safety standards are enforced at the federal level. They help keep us safe when we drive or purchase a new vehicle.

Speed Limits Reduce Injuries

Following the speed limit is nearly as easy as buckling a seatbelt, and it drastically reduces the chance of personal injury while driving. Speed limits are laws that regulate how quickly vehicles can travel on a given motorway.

The speed limit on a road can vary depending on the type of vehicle you are driving. It is important to be mindful of the posted limits.

Speed limits are calculated and set to reduce the number of accidents. The U.S. Department of Transportation states that "speed limits should reflect the maximum reasonable and safe speed for normal conditions." By following the speed limit, we can minimize personal injury to ourselves and other drivers in the event of an accident.

When You Need a Lifeline

Many laws, including those setting manufacturer safety standards and speed limits, help protect us from personal injuries before an accident occurs. However, despite these protective laws, personal injuries can still happen in a car accident.

If you find yourself injured after a car accident, the attorneys at McKenzie & Snyder are here to help. When you need a lifeline, call McKenzie & Snyder.