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Virginia State Police are currently investigating a fatal car crash involving multiple vehicles on Interstate 95 in Fairfax County on December 16.
According to news reports, the multi-vehicle accident occurred on I-95 South at mile marker 163 in the Lorton area just after 1 p.m. Police said two vehicles had been speeding when one of the cars, a BMW convertable, changed lanes and struck a third car before striking the guardrail and a jersey wall.
The driver of the BMW, who was not wearing his seatbelt at the time, was ejected from the vehicle and then run over by the car it had hit. The driver died at the scene. The BMW’s passenger, also not wearing his seatbelt, was partially ejected and taken to the hospital for life-threatening injuries.
Virginia State Police are investigating the accident.
Wearing a seatbelt is one of the most important safety decisions you can make every time you get into a vehicle. In the event of an accident, seatbelts serve as your primary line of defense, dramatically reducing the risk of ejection from the vehicle and minimizing the severity of injuries sustained. The simple act of buckling up helps keep car passengers positioned properly for maximum airbag effectiveness and prevents them from colliding with the vehicle’s interior surfaces or other passengers during a crash.
Statistics consistently demonstrate the life-saving potential of seatbelts. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seatbelt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017. Even in seemingly minor accidents, unrestrained passengers can suffer severe injuries from what might otherwise have been a survivable incident. The physics of a collision mean that unrestrained occupants continue moving at the vehicle’s pre-crash speed until they encounter an object that stops their motion – often with devastating consequences.
From a legal perspective, the decision to wear or not wear a seatbelt can significantly impact the outcome of any personal injury claim following an auto accident. Many states have laws that allow defense attorneys to introduce evidence of seatbelt non-use to reduce the damages awarded to an injured party, even if they weren’t at fault for the accident. This is known as the “seatbelt defense.” Car accident attorneys often emphasize that while failure to wear a seatbelt typically won’t bar recovery entirely, it can substantially reduce the compensation received through what’s called “comparative negligence.” Additionally, in most states, drivers can be ticketed and fined for not wearing seatbelts or ensuring their passengers are properly restrained, leading to increased insurance premiums and points on their driving record.
If you are involved in a car accident that resulted in serious injuries, contact Regan Zambri Long to schedule a free consultation.
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This post is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or medical advice. If you or a loved one has been injured, please seek immediate medical care.
