Crashes on I-20 Stress the Importance of Wearing a Seat Belt

This past weekend, three people who were killed in car accidents on I-20 were not wearing seat belts. These accidents show how important it is to wear your seat belt, no matter how long or short your trip may be. 

On Saturday, May 5th, Ronnie Cribb, 49, of Florence, was traveling as a passenger in a vehicle on I-20 in Richland County at around 5:00pm when the vehicle was involved in a single-car accident. He was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the car, causing him to sustain injuries that resulted in his death.

At around 11:00am on Sunday, May 6th, Tanya Dash, 42, and her son, Tony Hill, 25, were traveling in their Ford Explorer near mile marker 58 on I-20 in Lexington County when they were involved in an accident. The driver of their vehicle lost control, struck a median before overturning, causing Dash and Hill to be thrown from the vehicle. They were not wearing seat belts and died at the scene as a result of head and body trauma. 

These are devastating fatal accidents that could potentially have been less tragic if seat belts had been worn. The statistics from the National Safety Council should be reason enough to wear your seat belt whenever you are in a motor vehicle. The National Safety Council reports that seat belts can reduce the risk of injuries in an accident by 50 percent. Although seat belt use in South Carolina has increased in recent years to 80 percent, that still means that 20 percent are still at risk for serious injury or even death. So before you start your car, be sure to put your seat belt on and make sure that all passengers and wearing their seat belts.

If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in an accident, whether or not seat belts were worn, it is important to seek legal help in order to protect your rights. South Carolina car accident Attorney Shelly Leeke has been representing accident victims for nearly a decade. To set up a free consultation appointment, call 843-277-6061 today!