After a car accident, your seat belt use may impact the compensation you can receive through a Georgia personal injury claim. For legal help, call 404-474-0804.

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How Seat Belt Laws Can Impact Your Georgia Personal Injury Claim (Part A)

Even though seat belts are simple and effective life-saving devices, unfortunately, many drivers and passengers may neglect to buckle up before using Georgia roadways.

You may know there are seat belt laws in Georgia, but if you were seriously injured in an accident and are planning to file a Georgia personal injury claim, you may have some questions about how this can impact the damages you would otherwise be entitled.

While seat belt laws in Georgia don't impact who is at fault, there is a possibility that not wearing a seat belt can result in reduced compensation, depending on whether insurance adjusters determine the severity of your injuries may have been lessened had you used a seat belt.

If you're concerned about your Georgia personal injury claim, a Fayetteville personal injury attorney will be a good source of information for you, to understand the strengths and weaknesses of your case.

How Exceptions to Seat Belt Laws in Georgia Can Impact Your Claim

Understanding some of the exceptions to seat belt laws in Georgia may help you bolster your Georgia personal injury claim.

For example, the law makes an exception for:

newspaper delivery people;
mail carriers; and
emergency vehicle drivers.

Seat belt laws in Georgia apply to passenger vehicles, which include pretty much any vehicle designed to carry 10 passengers or less. This applies to pickup trucks, vans and SUVs. Front seat and minor passengers must use a seat belt or restraint.

Drivers do not have to wear seat belts in the following vehicles:

motorcycles;
motor driven cycles;
off-road vehicles; or
off-road pickups trucks used in farming operations.

Your Fayetteville personal injury attorney will need all the details surrounding your accident, including the vehicle you were in at the time. If you were in one of the above listed vehicles, your attorney will point this out when handling your claim.

Seat belt laws in Georgia also make allowances for specific situations, such as when reversing a vehicle or making frequent stops and deliveries (both must be under 15 mph).

For instance, if you were reversing out of a parking spot and a car careened into your vehicle before you had a chance to buckle up, your Fayetteville personal injury attorney will likely build evidence to prove this, so you needn't worry about your potential compensation.

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The Law Office of Jason R. Schultz is dedicated to vigorously defending our clients in an auto accident cases. We are small enough to care and experienced enough to win. Contact Jason Schultz at 404-474-0804.