When people are driving, they should do everything possible to ensure the safety of themselves and everyone else around. Lack of following safety procedures may lead to serious injury or worse.
A recent article from Fox News discusses a car accident that recently occurred in Michigan. The accident produced an unusual effect on one of the passengers. A 17-year-old woman was the passenger in a vehicle that rear-ended another car. When the accident occurred, the airbags immediately deployed and struck her directly in the eyes. After the traffic accident, the young lady went to the emergency room because of pain and burning in her eyes. The bag left an imprint of its canvas on her eyes, and doctors had to use a special fluorescent dye to examine and discover the injury. According to the ophthalmologist, the airbag deployed so quickly that she did not have time to shut her eyes. In addition to the imprint on one eye, the accident also produced tearing on the surface of her other eye, although that injury healed within 24 hours. The young woman also had a small amount of bleeding in her eye, and it took two weeks for that injury to vanish.
While airbags prevent head trauma and provide greater safety during car accidents, doctors confirm that they also have been known to cause serious eye injuries. A doctor, interviewed for the article, mentioned that he had a recent patient whose airbag injury during a car accident resulted in blindness in one eye for his patient. That said, those types of injuries are exceptional, and airbags generally provide drivers and passengers with greater safety and security.
Secure Yourself in a Safety Belt
Unfortunately, this article shows that no matter how much you try, you cannot always protect yourself from injury. However, the state of Michigan has established laws and policies that attempt to make drivers put themselves in as safe a position as possible. The Michigan legislature provides detailed information regarding seat belt laws in the state. Michigan law requires that all passengers between the ages of 8 and 15 wear seat belts in all seating positions. The law also instructs all drivers and passengers in front seats to buckle up. Additionally, Michigan’s safety law regarding child passengers establishes that children younger than 4 must sit in a car seat in the back of the vehicle if the vehicle possesses a rear seat. It is only when all rear seats are occupied by children under the age of 4 that it is acceptable to have another child under the age of 4 in the front seat.
Wearing seat belts is not only important for safety, but it can also have an effect on potential litigation. If a person is involved in a car accident while not wearing a seatbelt, it may be considered negligence and reduce potential damages. However, Michigan law states that it cannot reduce the damages by more than 5 percent.
If you are in a motor vehicle collision and live in the state of Michigan, contact the Clark Law Office. We have a sterling reputation in the field of traffic accidents and can provide immediate assistance.
