Updates to Indiana Seat Belt Law in 2024

Updates to Indiana Seat Belt Law in 2024

Starting July 1st, 2024, there are new rules about seat belts in Indiana. Governor Eric Holcomb signed a new bill, H.B. 1090, on March 11th, 2024, that changes how seat belt use can affect lawsuits after car collisions.

What’s New?

This new law means that if you’re 15 or older and you’re in a collision, not wearing a seat belt can be used against you in court. The defendant in the case has to prove two things:

  1. You weren’t wearing a seat belt; and
  2. Wearing a seat belt would have prevented some or all of your injuries.

 

Key Details

According to Indiana Code § 9-19-11-8.5, this law applies if:

  1. You were in a car made after September 1, 1986, with at least one airbag.
  2. You were 15 years old or older when the accident happened.

If these conditions are met, the fact that you weren’t wearing a seat belt can be used to show that you didn’t do enough to mitigate your injuries.

 

Impact on Lawsuits

There’s no limit to how much a jury can reduce your compensation if they find out you weren’t wearing a seat belt and it contributed to your injuries. This means your potential payout in a personal injury lawsuit could be significantly lowered if it’s proven that a seat belt would have helped.

 

Why Wear a Seat Belt?

Regardless of the impact of seatbelt use on your legal case, wearing one is still a smart move. Beyond following the law, it’s about promoting seat belt safety for everyone. Encouraging seat belt use helps create safer roads and reduces injuries from collisions.

As personal injury attorneys, we know the importance of this simple habit. By urging our clients, friends, and family to buckle up, we’re all contributing to a culture of safety and helping to prevent unnecessary injuries.

 

Need Legal Advice?

If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle collision, Johnson Jensen is here for you when you’re ready. Call 317.269.7799 or fill out our online form here: https://johnsonjensen.com/contact.