A vehicle carrying six people between the ages of 17 and 20 on I-75 left the roadway, became airborne and then hit a pine tree. No one in the car was wearing a seatbelt. The driver and the front passenger were both killed in the accident. All four back seat passengers were ejected from the vehicle and suffered serious personal injuries. The single vehicle accident happened in Columbia County on I-75 just north of Lake City, Florida. The cause of the accident is being investigated.
Car accidents like this are a stark reminder of the need to wear seatbelts. No one escaped from this accident without injuries. Of course, it is not a certainty that seatbelts would have helped, but the probability is that they would have.
In Florida, seatbelts are required by law, and for good reason. Seatbelts are the single most effective traffic safety device for preventing death and injury, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of car crash injuries by fifty percent. Nationwide, seat belt use is higher than ever; however seat belt use remains lowest among young drivers.
If you have any questions about Florida law regarding automobile accidents please contact our Jacksonville auto accident attorneys. Consultations are always free.