Two Killed in Knott County Crash; Law Enforcement Says Lack of Seatbelts Were a Factor

Two people died recently in a truck crash in Knott County. According to law enforcement, neither the driver nor passenger were wearing their seatbelts.

Kentucky State Police were contacted at approximately 6 pm concerning a single-car vehicle accident in the Pine Top community. A 1989 GMC pickup truck had crashed over an embankment.

According to the initial investigation, 55-year-old driver Donald Mullins of Pine Top and 55-year-old passenger Portia Calhoun of Kite were traveling eastbound on KY582 when the truck veered off the road. The vehicle struck several trees before it overturned.

Mullins was removed from the vehicle and flown to UK Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Calhoun was pronounced dead at the scene.

Seatbelts Increase Chances of Survival in Vehicle Crashes

At its most basic level, a seatbelt is designed to keep someone safe in the event of an accident. In this sense, it should reduce the chances of being seriously injured or killed in an accident.

One major argument in favor of seatbelts is that they help protect occupants from being thrown violently around the cabin during a crash. When unrestrained people hit hard surfaces inside a vehicle or collide with other passengers, the results can be catastrophic. Seatbelts help to keep people in their seats and minimize the risk of such injuries.

Furthermore, seatbelts distribute the force of a crash more evenly across the body, which reduces the likelihood of serious internal injuries.

Have you heard people argue that seatbelts increase the risk of serious injury in accidents?

Some safety experts have raised concerns that seatbelts may actually increase the risk of certain types of injuries in certain types of accidents.

For example, in a frontal collision, a seatbelt may cause the driver or front-seat passenger to slam into the steering wheel or dashboard. This can cause serious injuries to the chest and abdominal organs.

Additionally, in a side-impact collision, a seatbelt may cause the occupant’s head to snap forward violently, leading to serious neck injuries.

There are many other factors that can influence the safety benefits of seatbelts, including the age and weight of vehicle occupants, the speed of impact, and whether airbags are also present in the vehicle.

Despite the arguments against seatbelts, most people agree that their chances of survival increase when they wear them.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a vehicle crash, with or without a seatbelt, it’s important to seek legal counsel. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Heavens Law at 484-467-8254. All phone consultations are free and confidential, with no obligation beyond that.