Final answer:
Wearing a seatbelt and not being thrown from the car increases the chances of surviving an accident.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chances of surviving an accident are better if you are wearing a seatbelt and are not thrown from the car. Wearing a seatbelt helps to reduce the force and impacts of a collision by increasing the time over which the force acts on the body. This ensures that the force is distributed over a longer period and decreases the chances of severe injuries or fatalities.
For example, when a car suddenly stops due to an accident, the dashboard padding and airbags allow the net force on the occupants to act over a larger time. This results in a lower force to bring the occupants to a stop, reducing the chances of severe injuries.
Additionally, the use of plastic components in modern cars allows them to crumple or collapse in the event of a collision. This further increases the collision time, reducing the force on the car and the occupants inside.