The Impact of Louisiana’s Seat Belt Laws on Personal Injury Claims

Posted in Car Accidents on January 26, 2024

Seatbelt use has a direct impact on vehicle occupant safety in traffic accidents. The Centers for Disease Control has reported: 

• In the United States, traffic accidents rank as one of the top causes of fatalities for individuals between the ages of 1 and 54.
• Using seat belts and correctly utilizing car seats and booster seats suited to a child’s age and size can reduce the likelihood of severe injuries or fatalities in a crash by a minimum of 50%.
• While most drivers and passengers in the United States adhere to these safety practices during every journey, millions still do not. 

According to the Louisiana State University Center for Research in Transportation Safety, of the total 439 driver fatalities in 2023, 41 percent were not wearing seatbelts.  Louisiana’s seat belt laws are integral to the state’s road safety initiatives and have significant implications in personal injury cases. Under these laws, all drivers and front-seat passengers must wear seat belts. In addition, all passengers under the age of 13 must use an appropriate child restraint system. Failure to comply with these laws can increase the risk of injury during traffic accidents and impact the outcome of personal injury claims.

There are also financial penalties for not wearing a seatbelt in Louisiana. Should it be determined that either the driver or a passenger was not using a seat belt, a fine of $50 is imposed for the initial violation. A second violation incurs a $75 fine, and any further violations attract a $75 fine and additional court costs. Additionally, in Orleans Parish, an extra charge of $20 is levied for each instance of the offense. 

How Do Seat Belts Reduce the Risk of Injury?

Seat belts significantly reduce the risk of injury in various ways during vehicle accidents. These safety devices are designed to keep occupants secured in their seats, thereby minimizing the likelihood of being thrown around inside the vehicle or ejected from it. Here’s a breakdown of how seat belts accomplish this:

• Restraining the Strongest Parts of the Body: Seat belts are structured to restrain the body’s strongest parts, such as the pelvis and the upper chest. By doing so, they distribute the force of the collision over a wider area of the body, reducing the impact on any single part.
• Reducing the Impact on the Interior of the Vehicle: By keeping occupants in their seats, seat belts reduce the chance of hitting the dashboard, steering wheel, or windshield, which are common causes of injuries in accidents.
• Slowing Down the Body’s Momentum: In a crash, the vehicle stops suddenly, but the occupants continue to move at the vehicle’s pre-crash speed. Seat belts slow down the body gradually, reducing the risk of injury.
• Protecting the Brain and Spinal Cord: Seat belts, especially when combined with shoulder straps, help prevent head and spinal injuries by minimizing the likelihood of the head or upper body being violently thrown forward.
• Enhancing the Effectiveness of Other Safety Features: Seat belts work in conjunction with other safety features, like airbags. Without a seat belt, an airbag’s protective capability is greatly diminished, and it can even cause injury.

Seat belts are a critical safety feature in vehicles that effectively reduce the risk of serious injuries in accidents by restraining occupants securely, distributing collision forces across stronger parts of the body, and preventing collision with interior parts of the vehicle.

Comparative Fault in Louisiana

In traffic accidents, evidence of seat belt usage can influence the assessment of damages and liabilities. Louisiana follows a comparative fault system, meaning compensation can be adjusted based on the degree of fault of each party involved in an accident. 

Louisiana’s comparative fault system is a legal framework for determining liability and damages in personal injury cases, including traffic accidents. Under this system, the fault is not assigned solely to one party when an accident occurs. Instead, each party’s responsibility for the accident is evaluated and expressed as a percentage.

The distinctive feature of the comparative fault system is its approach to compensating the injured party. The compensation awarded to an injured individual is reduced by a percentage equivalent to their degree of fault in the accident. For example, if an individual is deemed 30% at fault in an accident, the compensation they are eligible to receive will be reduced by 30%.

This system acknowledges that multiple factors and actions can contribute to an accident, allowing for a more nuanced and equitable approach to resolving personal injury claims. It differs from the “contributory negligence” system, where any fault on the part of the injured person might bar them from receiving compensation. In Louisiana, even if an individual is more at fault than the other parties, they can still receive some compensation, though it will be substantially reduced according to their share of the fault. This method aims to distribute damages in a manner that reflects each party’s contribution to the cause of the accident.

If a person injured in a traffic accident is found not wearing a seat belt, it may reduce the damages they can recover. 

Maximizing Compensation in Traffic Accidents: The Role of Seat Belt Compliance

In traffic accidents, seat belt compliance plays a significant role in determining compensation outcomes. Individuals adhering to seat belt laws often have a stronger stance in personal injury claims when involved in a collision. Louisiana’s legal system examines the details of each accident, including whether those involved were wearing seat belts.

If an individual is injured in an accident but was not wearing a seat belt, it might reduce the compensation they are eligible to receive. This is because Louisiana operates under a comparative fault rule, where compensation is adjusted based on each party’s level of fault in the accident. Adhering to seat belt laws not only enhances safety but also strengthens one’s position in the event of a traffic accident. Individuals need to understand the impact of seat belt use on the legal outcomes of traffic accidents.

If you are have been involved in a car accident, contact us or call (504) 500-5000 today for a free consultation.