The Pregnant Woman's Guid to Buckling Up | Washington Car Accident Attorney

If you're pregnant and have questions about seat belt use, follow these tips from the National Highway & Traffic Safety Administration:

"I'm pregnant. Should I wear a seat belt?"
YES! Doctors recommend it. In a crash, a seatbelt is the best protection for both you and your unborn child.

"Should I adjust my seat?"
YES! You should move the front seat back as far as possible. If you're driving, make sure that you can still comfortably reach the pedals. But always keep at least 10 inches between the center of your chest and the steering wheel cover or dashboard. As your abdomen grows during pregnancy, adjust your seat to maintain this 10 inch minimum.

"What if my car or truck has air bags?"
YOU STILL NEED TO BUCKLE UP! Air bags are designed to work with seat belts, not replace them. Without a seat belt, you could be thrown into a rapidly opening frontal air bag, which could injure or even kill you and your unborn child. Also, if you're not buckled up, you could collide with other passengers or be ejected from the vehicle.

"Should I turn the air bag off if my vehicle has an OF/OFF air bag diabling switch?"
NO. Doctors recommend that pregnant women wear seat belts and leave air bags turned on. Seat belts and air bags work together to provide the best protection for you and your unborn child.

"What's the right way to wear my seat belt?"
The shoulder belt should lay across your chest (between your breasts) and away from your neck.

If you have any questions about injuries resulting from a car accident, get a free consultation at The Andrew Kim Law Firm. Call (253) 682-2000 in the Tacoma area, (425) 289-1990 in Bellevue and surrounding areas or toll free at (800) 636-3676.