Although it’s important to drive carefully at all times, it takes on a more crucial meaning when you’re driving with your children in the backseat. However, sometimes, there is nothing you can do to prevent an accident—and a subsequent visit to a collision center. Even so, there are steps that you can take to minimize injuries for yourself and your passengers, as the guide below explains.

How to Prevent Getting Injured in an Accident

1. Wear Your Seat Belt

You’re required to wear your seat belt by law. Doing so is not just a matter of avoiding legal ramifications, but also of protecting yourself and your family from bodily harm. Of recent vehicle-related deaths, half of the victims were not wearing a seat belt at the time. For maximum effectiveness, wear the crossbelt across your chest with the other strap hung low and tight across your hips. 

2. Sit Correctly

Sitting in unusual positions, even with the seat belt fastened, puts the person at risk of suffering an injury if an accident occurs. Don’t have your feet on the dashboard, but rather, keep them flat on the floor. When you sit up straight—the preferred position when driving—the steering wheel should be at chest height.

3. Use Proper Car Seats

In Nebraska, kids under the age of two must be seated in rear-facing passenger car seats until they have outgrown it, either by height or weight. This should then be replaced by a front-facing seat.

Kids under age eight must be restrained in the backseat with a belt. Sitting in the front seat can be dangerous if a collision occurs since the force of the inflating airbags will do much more damage to a child’s frame than an adult’s.

In the aftermath of an accident, trust the professionals at Miracle Workers Auto Collision Center to care for your vehicle with respect. Based in Lincoln, NE, this team offers a variety of services to improve the condition of your car, including auto body repair, dent removal, and auto body painting. To find out how they can help you, visit the collision center online. Call (402) 474-7355 to schedule an appointment.