A WOMAN who was left unable to walk after a car crash has warned other motorists about the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

Liz McMillan, from Poole, was travelling in the front passenger seat of a car when the driver collided with another car at a busy roundabout.

The passenger behind her was thrown forward by the impact crushing Liz.

She was left with life-changing injuries.

Liz suffered a broken neck and severe spinal injuries during the crash on August 26 last year. She has been unable to walk since.

“My own experience has taught me how easily these things are overlooked,” said the 71-year-old.

“Maybe a rear passenger might unclick their seatbelt because they’re squashed into the back with others, or they’re feeling alienated from the front seat conversation so unstrap themselves to move forward in their seat to join the chatter. But doing that doesn’t just put yourself at risk – maybe that’s a chance you’re willing to take – it can leave others with life-threatening or, in my case, life-changing injuries. That’s the legacy of failing to do a three-second job; belting up.”

Claire Howard, a specialist serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Liz, added: “Liz’s ordeal shows just how serious the consequences can be when a person decides not to use their seatbelt.

“Irwin Mitchell is working with Liz to ensure she gets the help, support and treatment she needs to be able to achieve the best recovery possible and move on with her life.

“Despite requiring significant rehabilitation over the coming weeks and months, Liz has always been determined to share her experience so others may think twice before disregarding their seatbelts.”

Not wearing a seat belt in the front of a vehicle became illegal on January 31, 1983. The law changed again eight years later, when seatbelts for adults travelling in the back of a car became compulsory. In 2007, Think released the televised advert called ‘Julie knew her killer’ about the effects of failing to wear a seatbelt.

“Maybe it’s time for another campaign,” Liz said. “Or maybe it’s time everyone thought about the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt and take immediate action.

“In the crash I was involved in, both the driver and rear passenger escaped with minor injuries. I however have spent more than nine months in hospital, face further weeks of intensive physiotherapy and the rest of my life in a wheelchair.”