Estimated Medical Cost Savings in Nevada by Implementing a Primary Seat Belt Law

摘要

This report examines 2007 hospital discharge data reporting cases where the external cause of injury to a vehicle occupant was a motor vehicle crash to predict the estimated savings to Nevada if a primary seat belt law is implemented. The savings are calculated using costs based on the report Economic Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes (DOT HS 809 446). In Nevada, there is an expectation of a primary law reducing the burden of insurance companies by about $4.2 million from crashes occurring in a single year alone. The crash victims in Nevada would benefit by a reduction of more than $503,000 while the Federal Government would reduce its costs by about $543,000 before reimbursing Nevada for a portion of Medicaid expenditures. Nevada would also reduce its spending by $1.6 million ($930,000 after reimbursement).