Statistics out for 2015 show that there was a 10% increase in young driver deaths in the United States according to a story reported by NBC 10 Philadelphia. In fact, car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States.
What is more devastating is that many of these fatal car crashes could have been avoided. In fact, 54% of the deaths to teenagers involved in car accidents in 2015 were due to the teenager not wearing their seatbelt. This was by far the greatest cause of death, with 26% of the fatal car crashes involving alcohol and 36% involving speeding accidents.
It is illegal in Pennsylvania to not wear a seatbelt. However, you can only receive a citation if you are pulled over for another violation. The question for many innocent victims of a car accident is whether not wearing a seatbelt can lessen the amount of damages they may receive. According to Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Edith Pearce of The Pearce Law Firm, “The Pennsylvania statute makes it clear that the fact that the victim was not wearing a seatbelt does not lessen the recovery in a personal injury claim. Rather, the law states that the defendant is precluded from offering evidence at trial that the car accident victim was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of collision.” So, even if you were not wearing a seatbelt, it cannot be used against you by the insurance company to try and prove you contributed to the accident or should bear some of the blame. In other words, it cannot be used in the defense of contributory or comparative negligence.
However, it cannot be emphasized enough that seatbelts save lives. In fact, it is estimated that in 2015, seatbelts saved 381 lives and could have saved 94 more in Pennsylvania car accidents. Parents should tell their teenage drivers to buckle up and to refrain from speeding and distracted driving.
If you have been the victim of a car accident in Philadelphia or anywhere in Pennsylvania or New Jersey, call The Pearce Law Firm. We can answer your questions. We have inside knowledge of the “tricks of the trade” by the insurance company, because Edith Pearce worked for a defense firm representing insurance companies for many years. Call today to schedule your free consultation.
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