Seat belts are one of the most effective safety features in modern vehicles. They help keep you secure during a crash, reducing injury severity. Seat belt use doesn’t just affect your safety — it can also impact the outcome of your car accident claim. Understanding how seat belt use plays a role is crucial after an accident.
Seat belt use and injury severity
Wearing a seat belt can significantly reduce injury severity. Studies show seat belts save thousands of lives each year. They prevent serious injuries by keeping passengers in place and lowering the risk of hitting the car’s interior or being ejected. If you’re injured in an accident and were not wearing a seat belt, your injuries may be more severe, affecting your claim by increasing medical costs and long-term recovery.
Comparative fault in Tennessee
Tennessee follows a comparative fault system, meaning if you’re partially at fault, your compensation could be reduced. If you were not wearing a seat belt during the crash, the other party’s insurance or your own may argue your failure to buckle up contributed to your injuries. This can lower your settlement or award. In some cases, not wearing a seat belt could reduce your damages by up to 25%, depending on how much your actions contributed to your injury severity.
Legal implications of not wearing a seat belt
Not wearing a seat belt can have legal consequences. In Tennessee, it’s required for all adults in the front seat to wear one. Failure to do so could be used to argue you were negligent in taking safety precautions. While this may not automatically eliminate your claim, it can weaken your case if your failure to wear a seat belt worsens your injuries.
Seat belt use is more than just a safety precaution — it can directly affect your car accident claim. Even if you’re in the right, failing to wear a seat belt can reduce your settlement. Buckle up, and remember that your actions impact your claim.
