Seatbelt Evidence Admissibility

Juries should be permitted to consider seatbelt use when determining fault and damages in personal injury cases involving automobile crashes.

The Problem

In many states, evidence of whether a plaintiff was wearing a seatbelt is inadmissible in court, even though it directly impacts the extent of injuries and damages claimed. This creates an incomplete picture for juries and unfairly penalizes defendants.

ATRA’s Position

Permit seatbelt evidence to be admitted in court to ensure fair and accurate determinations of fault and damages.

Search Through ATRA Reforms

Search through all of ATRA's reforms around Seatbelt Evidence Admissibility
Seat Belt Evidence Admissibility: S.B. 30 (2019)
In actions arising out the design, construction, manufacture, distribution, or sale of a motor vehicle factory equipped with a safety belt, failure to...
Missouri
Seat Belt Admissibility: H.B. 4 (2003)

Repealed statute forbidding any evidence of lack of seat belt use in auto accident cases.

Texas
Seat Belt Evidence Reform: S.B. 80 (2004)

Permitted evidence to be introduced of plaintiffs non-seat belt use for purposes of reducing noneconomic damages.

Ohio
Seat Belt Admissibility: H.B. 1015 (2013)
Sets out that the use or nonuse of seat belts shall be submitted into evidence in any civil suit in Oklahoma unless the plaintiff in such suit is a ch...
Oklahoma
Seat Belt Admissibility: HB 1015 (2013)
Sets out that the use or nonuse of seatbelts shall be submitted into evidence in any civil suit in Oklahoma unless the plaintiff in such suit is a chi...
Oklahoma
Seat Belt Evidence Admissibility – S.B. 439
Displaces a longstanding provision that had excluded seat belt non-usage evidence for any purpose if the claimant stipulated to a reduction of dama...
West Virginia


Seatbelt Evidence Admissibility News and Press

Explore ATRA's most recent press releases and blogs around Seatbelt Evidence Admissibility

Georgia’s Historic Tort Reform Wins National Recognition in ATRA’s 2025 “Legislative HeatCheck”

The American Tort Reform Association named the Georgia legislature a “Tort...

Gov. Kemp Signs Major Tort Reform Bills in ‘Judicial Hellhole’ Georgia

Today, the American Tort Reform Association celebrates Gov. Brian Kemp sig...

Georgia Legislature Passes Landmark Tort Reform Bill

Today, Georgia lawmakers signed off on a critical tort reform measure aime...

Search Resources

Search through all of ATRA's Amicus Briefs, Reports, and Other Resources around Seatbelt Evidence Admissibility
Search All
States
Status
Post Types
Date
Lyle & Bruso v. State Farm
(Ok., filed July 9, 2026): Arguing that allowing the district court’s so-called “protective order” to stand would make Oklahoma a significant nationa...
Oklahoma
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
Benavides v. Tesla
(11th Circ., filed July 9, 2026): Arguing that the judgment holds manufacturers to unreasonable standards that will deter innovation and development ...
11th Circuit
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
Drake v. Bayer
(9th Circ., filed May 26, 2026): Arguing that rehearing should be granted to clarify the standards applicable to establishing class-wide injury.  The...
9th Circuit
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
In Re FirstEnergy Corp. Securities Litigation
(6th Circ., filed May 21, 2026): Arguing that Comcast’s limits on class certification provide essential protections for American businesses and inves...
6th Circuit
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et. al.
(U.S., filed May 18, 2026): Arguing the state law does not provide a mechanism to recover damages for costs attributed to global climate change. Clim...
SCOTUS
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
Veto Request, House Bill 26-1236, “Arbitration Reform”
...
Colorado
Second Letter Urging Veto of HB 449 / SB 229 Following Rejection of Amendments
...
Virginia
Comment by Leading Defense Bar and Business Groups Opposing Nonlawyer Ownership and Fee-Sharing
Tennessee Supreme Court comment by leading business and defense bar groups opposing nonlawyer law firm ownership – 4.30.2026Download ...
Tennessee
Blade v. Sig Saurer
(E.D. Pa., filed April 6, 2026): Arguing that the court should grant Sig Saurer’s motion for reconsideration because Mallory upends the jurisdictiona...
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided
Suquilanda v. Skyway Roofing, Inc.
(Ma., filed March 18, 2026): Urging the court to decline to recognize a new cause of action permitting employees of a subcontractor to sue a contract...
Massachusetts
  • Case Not Yet Decided iconCase Not Yet Decided



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