Thousands of auto accidents occur in Washington every year, and according to the state government, approximately 400 – 500 people are killed in the state every year who were merely occupants in a vehicle. While this may seem like a small number, one must consider that this roughly equates to three people every two days being killed in auto accidents while simply riding in a vehicle. If you have so much as been injured in a vehicle as an occupant, you do need to contact a Washington auto accident attorney to obtain the information you need about your rights. In the meantime, below are a few steps to consider in terms of accidents and occupant protection.
1. Seat Belts
Seat belts are the most obvious solutions, and the state has made an enormous effort towards bolstering their use throughout the state. Estimates show that seat belt usage has gone up since it became a law in 2002, but still sits at about 96%. This is a positive when compared to the much lower usage in previous years, but that still means that thousands of people are riding around Washington every day without the most basic protection in place.
2. Child Safety Seats
Protective child seats should be as obvious a solution as seat belts, and the state is also promoting their use to protect child occupants. However, the same report indicates that only about half of those who should use child seats actually use them, which is deeply troubling.
3. Booster Seats
Booster seats may not be as common, but they are clearly of aid to those who need them. That’s also troubling when one considers that the state estimates that only about 17% of people who should make use of these devices actually do.
4. Air Bags
While some older vehicles do not come with air bags, the majority of models on the road today do, and anyone who does not have them should see about having them installed, as they save lives.
Ultimately, it’s up to the owner/driver of the vehicle to provide safety equipment and advantages for the occupants, and it’s up to the occupants in most cases to make use of them. If you or someone you love has been injured or worse as an occupant in a vehicle, you need to contact the Washington auto accidents attorneys today to schedule a free initial consultation.