South Carolina Car Accident Lawyer News:
Massive Decline in Unbuckled Seatbelt Deaths

Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer, and with the warmer weather comes busier roads as well as, unfortunately, an increased risk of traffic deaths and injuries, according to the National Safety Council.

One of the best ways for drivers to prevent deaths and injuries from car accidents is to buckle their seatbelts. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2022, more than 11,000 of the people who were killed in car accidents in the U.S. were not wearing seatbelts. Nearly 60% of unbuckled deaths were among people ages 18 to 34.

But there is some good news for South Carolina drivers in 2024: Last month, the number of deaths from unbuckled drivers in the state was significantly lower than in previous years. This is a promising trend that we must maintain.

Sometimes, however, despite trying to do everything right, we still get injured by negligent drivers. If you were injured in a car accident or another type of auto accident in Greenville-Spartanburg or anywhere across the Palmetto State, our South Carolina car accident attorneys know how to help you.

Contact us at 1-866-900-7078 today for a free case evaluation. There is no obligation.

Deaths of Drivers Not Wearing Seatbelts in South Carolina – May:

May 2024: 18 unbuckled deaths out of 61 total deaths = 29.5% of deaths were unbuckled

May 2023: 57 unbuckled deaths out of 96 total deaths = 59.3% of deaths were unbuckled

May 2022: 53 unbuckled deaths out of 95 total deaths = 55.7% of deaths were unbuckled

May 2021: 67 unbuckled deaths out of 98 total deaths = 68.4% of deaths were unbuckled

May 2020: 56 unbuckled deaths out of 89 total deaths = 62.9% of deaths were unbuckled

May 2019: 70 unbuckled deaths out of 99 total deaths = 70.7% of deaths were unbuckled

May 2018: 59 unbuckled deaths out of 105 total deaths = 56.1% of deaths were unbuckled

Graph showing the number of unbuckled seatbelt related deaths that occurred in South Carolina in the month of May 2024.
In the image above, you see a large drop in the number of unbuckled car accident fatalities in May from 2023 to 2024 as well as a huge decline in the percentage of deaths related to not buckling up.

The large drop in unbuckled traffic deaths in May follows a trend of decreasing traffic fatalities in South Carolina throughout 2024. January to May 2024 saw 172 unbuckled deaths out of 357 total, while the same period in 2023 saw 253 unbuckled deaths and 434 total. That’s a 32% decline of unbuckled deaths in South Carolina for this time period from 2023 to 2024, and a 17.5% decline in total traffic deaths.

Why the Large Decline in South Carolina Traffic Deaths This Year?

South Carolina state leaders have attributed the recent trend of decreasing deaths to greater driver education, safer road engineering, and greater enforcement of traffic rules. In addition, the South Carolina Department of Public Safety brought back its “Highways or Dieways” campaign to billboards, television, radio, and social media this year to try to encourage safe driving. NHTSA also recently completed a national seatbelt safety campaign from May 20 to June 2.

Based on the data, these efforts appear to be working!

Types of Compensation You May Be Owed for a South Carolina Car Accident

If you were injured in a car accident or another type of auto accident in Greenville or anywhere across South Carolina, you may be owed significant compensation for:

  • Medical bills, such as treatment for ongoing or permanent injuries
  • Lost income from being unable to work
  • Pain and suffering

James Scott Farrin – Your South Carolina Car Accident Lawyers

We believe in fighting for justice on behalf of people who’ve been injured due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys have helped our firm recover more than $1.8 billion total since 1997 for over 65,000 people.1 We follow a You-First Policy and always put your needs first, including not collecting any attorney’s fee unless we recover compensation for you. Guaranteed.2

Tell them you mean business! Contact us today at 1-866-900-7078 if you’ve been injured in any type of auto accident in South Carolina.

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About the Author

Walt Wood practices personal injury law in North Carolina and South Carolina for the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin and was head of the firm’s expansion into Greenville, SC. He has more than 19 years of experience fighting for clients. Walt has the honor of being named to the Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list in two states: In 2012 and 2013, he was a North Carolina “Rising Star,” and in 2014, 2015, and 2016, he was a South Carolina “Rising Star.”4 In 2024, South Carolina Lawyers Weekly named Walt to its distinguished “Leaders in the Law” list.4

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