Seat Belt Mistakes Could Cost You After a Crash

Washington State has one of the highest seat belt use rates in the country at 94%, compared to the national average of 91%. This strong compliance is the result of years of public education and safety campaigns.

Even with these efforts, serious injuries and fatalities among people who are unrestrained or not wearing their seat belts correctly remain a concern. Wearing a seat belt is only part of the story. The way you wear it matters just as much. Proper fit, correct placement, and removing slack can make a real difference in a crash.

In this post, we’ll look at why correct seat belt use is so important and how small mistakes can lead to serious consequences.

Common Seat Belt Improper Placement Issues

Wearing your seat belt the wrong way can increase your risk of serious injury. It’s easy to think, “It’s on, so I’m fine,” but taking an extra minute to make sure it fits properly can make all the difference.

Here are some of the most common mistakes to watch out for:

Belt under the arm: The shoulder strap should always go over your shoulder and across your chest. Placing it under your arm or behind your back leaves your upper body unrestrained, which increases the risk of ejection or severe injury in a crash.
Loose belt: A belt with too much slack won’t hold you securely in place. This can cause your body to move more during impact, which may lead to head, neck, or internal injuries.
Seat too far back: Sitting too far from the steering wheel or dashboard can cause the seat belt to fit loosely. Your body should stay upright, and the belt should lie flat across your hips and chest.
Children improperly secured: In Washington State, children must use a car or booster seat until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall or at least 8 years old. Seat belts are designed for adults, so without the right booster seat, a belt can rest across a child’s neck or stomach and cause serious injuries in a crash. (For more information, see our post on Washington’s child seat safety laws.)

Taking a moment to double-check that every passenger is buckled correctly can prevent life-changing injuries.

Seat Belt Misuse and Other Risky Driving Behaviors Often Go Together

Drivers who skip or misuse their seat belt rarely stop there. Research shows that when people engage in one risky driving habit, they often engage in others too.

According to the CDC and Washington Traffic Safety Commission, drivers who do not always wear seat belts are more likely to engage in other unsafe behaviors, including:

Riding with a driver who has been drinking (1.8 times more likely)
Driving after drinking (2.7 times more likely)
Texting or using their phone while driving (1.3 times more likely)
Speeding or driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs
Being involved in crashes that cause serious injury or death

As mentioned earlier, about 94 percent of Washington State drivers buckle up. But the small group who don’t make up a disproportionate number of serious injuries and fatalities each year.

These numbers tell an important story. Failing to wear a seat belt properly often reflects a general attitude toward risk. When unsafe behaviors combine, the chance of serious injury rises sharply.

How To Make Sure You’re Using Seat Belts Correctly

Now that we’ve talked about why seat belt fit matters, let’s go over how to wear yours the right way. According to the NHTSA, here are a few simple things to check before you hit the road:

Buckle the lap and shoulder belt so they’re snug across your hips and chest. These areas are stronger and can handle crash forces better than other parts of your body.
The shoulder belt should go across the middle of your chest and away from your neck.
Make sure the lap belt sits low on your hips, not across your stomach.
Never tuck the shoulder strap behind your back or under your arm. It won’t protect you that way.

Try not to fall into the “I’ve got my seat belt on, so I’m safe” trap. Staying buckled correctly is just one part of driving safely. When you’re helping teens or new drivers learn the ropes, take a minute to show them how to get a proper fit too.

Talk to a Tacoma Car Accident Lawyer

Even when you buckle up properly, accidents can still cause serious injuries. If you or a loved one was hurt in a crash because someone else was careless, you may be eligible to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

At Ladenburg Law Injury Attorneys, we offer free, no-obligation consultations. Call us at 253.272.5226 or fill out the short form on our website to learn how we can help after a car accident in Tacoma or the surrounding areas.