Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest ways to stay safe on the road. That’s why Georgia law requires drivers and passengers to wear them in most vehicles.
Failing to buckle up can lead to more severe injuries in a crash. While it can also affect how much compensation someone receives in an injury claim, a person can still request damages if they weren’t wearing a seat belt when an accident occurs.
Georgia’s seat belt law and injury claims
Georgia law states that front-seat passengers and drivers must wear seat belts, and in most cases, back-seat passengers under 18 must also wear them. If someone does not wear a seat belt and gets hurt in a crash, they may still file an injury claim. However, Georgia’s comparative negligence rule can affect their compensation.
Comparative negligence means that if a person is partly responsible for their injuries, their compensation can be reduced. For example, if a driver runs a red light and crashes into another car, that driver may be mostly at fault. If the injured person wasn’t wearing a seat belt, the other side may argue that their injuries were worse because of that. A court might then decide to lower the injured person’s compensation.
How insurance companies use seat belt evidence
Insurance companies often look at whether the injured person was wearing a seat belt, and they may use this information to reduce the amount they have to pay. If the injured person did not buckle up, the insurer might argue that they share responsibility for their injuries. This can make it harder to receive full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Seat belts save lives and reduce injuries. Wearing one can also help ensure a higher injury claim if a crash happens, but injured persons may still have the right to compensation regardless of seat belt usage.