The weather might finally be getting better, but the icing from winter storm Jupiter has already caused numerous car accidents around St. Joseph. Some of these accidents showcase the importance of using your seatbelt while driving, especially in inclement weather.
Icing Causes Several Car Accidents Near St. Joseph
The conditions that winter storm Jupiter brought to the area were enough to coat the roads with a slick layer of ice. This caused numerous vehicles to spin out of control or collide with others on the road, resulting in serious personal injuries. One of these car crashes even proved to be a fatal one.
According to reports by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 22-year-old Michael Ogle was driving his 2001 Kia Sephia northbound on Missouri Route E around 4:30 on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, he hit a patch of ice outside the town of Ravenwood and lost control of the vehicle, which went off the road, hit a fence, and flipped several times. Ogle was not wearing a seatbelt, and got ejected from the vehicle in the rollover crash. He died from the injuries he suffered in the accident.
A second car accident caused by ice near Ravenwood seriously hurt two others. 85-year-old Norma Spire was in a pickup truck driven by her 65-year-old son John Spire when he lost control on the ice. Neither occupant was wearing their seatbelt. Norma was seriously hurt, and was rushed to Mosaic Life Care for treatment. She’s listed in fair condition.
Seatbelts Prevent Many Serious Injuries in Crashes
Poor road conditions like ice and snow can make it difficult to drive safely. However, using a seatbelt can be the best way to prevent a car accident from seriously hurting you.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), seatbelts saved an estimated 12,802 lives in 2014, alone. Their research has found that front-seat passengers reduced the risk of a fatal injury in a car accident by 45% by using a seatbelt. Their risk of suffering a moderate to serious injury decreased by 50%, as well.
Nevertheless, not everyone uses seatbelts while on the road. The NHTSA has found that the national seatbelt use rate was 87% in 2014. In Missouri, however, the rate is significantly lower, at only 78.8%. Additionally, while other states have shown an increase in seatbelt usage since 2007, Missouri’s has been nearly stagnant.
St. Joseph Car Accident Attorneys at the Smith Law Office
Bad weather is one of the most common culprits for a serious car accident. However, not wearing a seatbelt is one of the main reasons for that accident leading to serious or even fatal injuries.
Being involved in a car accident can be a life-changing event. Recovering from the injuries you suffer in the crash can be painful and expensive. That’s why the attorneys at the Smith Law Office fight for your rights and interests in and out of court. By legally representing you, we can ensure you get the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us online or at (816) 875-9373.