Seatbelt campaigns to prevent Alzheimer's and other personal injuries in car accidents

There has been renewed concern in 2006 about car accidents in the light of recent research on Alzheimer's disease, which shows that sudden head movements in a crash, either by hitting your head against the dashboard or those associated with whiplash, can contribute to the disease.

Evidence suggests that although injuries sustained at the time of a car accident may not lead to Alzheimer's immediately, damage to nerve fibres in the brain stem may cause it to occur in old age. Seatbelts that assist in stopping head injuries from taking place therefore also help prevent Alzheimer's in later life.

However, because of the long time lapse between a car accident and the onset of the condition establishing a causal link is very difficult. Also, as the research is relatively new, there is currently no history of no win, no fee compensation claims made by people suffering from Alzheimer’s as a result of whiplash injuries sustained in a road accident.

Police seatbelt campaigns in 2006
Motor companies and associations have called out for the government to mount more seatbelt campaigns and to force the use of helmets by bicycle and motorbike users to prevent a personal injury in the event of a road accident.

A European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL) seatbelt enforcement initiative earlier this year resulted in thousands of penalty notices being issued to motorists across the country who were not using their seatbelt.

Chief Inspector Neal Atwell from Suffolk Constabulary's Roads Policing Unit said: "People seem to forget that seat belts save lives even on the shortest trips and at low speeds.

"Drivers and passengers know they should wear seatbelts but these results show many people and children are still not belting up, indicating that they don't realise how dangerous it is. We will continue to enforce laws that have such a big effect on people's safety."

TV seatbelt campaign
The aim of the current TV seatbelt campaign Think! was to make it completely clear how important it is for all occupants to wear seatbelts so that everybody is protected and has less chance of sustaining fatal injuries in a car accident. This has been the law regarding seatbelt use since 1991. It is no coincidence that the introduction of this law has coincided with a decrease in serious personal injury compensation claims.

The graphic TV advert shows what happens to three young men in a car accident who die because they are not using a seatbelt, and then reverses the action to reveal what could have happened if they did use a seatbelt. See the video at Think Road Safety .

A video showing what happens at different speeds with different people in the event of a car accident if a seatbelt is not being used is also available online at Think Seatbelts.

Symptoms of Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive degenerative disease. Typical symptoms at its onset include confusion about what you are meant to be doing, especially not remembering appointments; short-term memory loss, such as forgetting the names of people, places and other crucial information; and becoming socially withdrawn due to a loss of confidence and/or communication problems.

You can learn more about Alzheimer's at www.Alzinfo.org.

Car accident compensation claims
The incidence of road accidents is decreasing all the time, but there are still around 33,000 people who sustain a serious personal injury as a result of them each year. Head injuries, back injuries and brain damage are some of the most severe types of injury that may be suffered.

The effects of car accident injuries can be long-lasting and lead to brain trauma and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Our panel of personal injury solicitors are expert in dealing with cases in which serious injury is involved and can help you to get the car accident compensation that can really make a difference.

We work on a no win, no fee basis
If you are suffering from whiplash, a head injury or any other personal injury sustained in a car accident, YouClaim are the right people to help you claim compensation.

Over the years we have successfully won personal injury compensation for thousands of people in the UK.

Our panel of no win, no fee solicitors do this at absolutely no cost to you. Win or lose, you will not have to pay a penny either to us or the opposing side; that is a guarantee.

So why not get in touch with us today?

You can discuss your claim on our easy-to-use e-chat facility, request a call back at a time convenient to you, fill out one of our simple online claims forms, or call us now on 0800 10 757 95 and we will provide a free claim assessment at absolutely no obligation.