Several states, including Ohio, require drivers and passengers to buckle up, issuing fines to those who fail to comply with the law.
However, even if you were not wearing a seat belt at the time of a car accident, you may still have a right to pursue compensation from the responsible driver or their insurance company.
How Does Not Wearing a Seat Belt Affect Liability in Ohio?
If you were in a car crash in Ohio and did not comply with state seat belt laws, it does not necessarily mean you were responsible for your injuries. The at-fault driver is still liable.
What if I Was Partly Responsible for the Crash?
While not wearing a seat belt may not mean you are responsible for your injuries, you can be partially responsible for the crash, and the resulting harm, for other reasons.
Ohio is a comparative negligence state, meaning multiple parties can bear some percentage of liability for an accident. For example, if you were speeding but the other driver failed to yield on a left turn, a judge might find both of you acted negligently. Negligence entails failure to exercise the expected level of care and caution in a certain situation.
As long as you are no more than 50% responsible for the crash, you can pursue compensation from the other party for your losses.
How Does It Affect My Settlement if I Was Not Wearing a Seat Belt at the Time of My Car Accident?
Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.33 allows the judge to “diminish a recovery of compensatory damages,” or non-economic damages if an injured party was not wearing a seat belt. That means there is no impact on losses like hospital bills, ongoing medical costs, and lost wages. But you may not be able to pursue as much compensation for non-economic damages like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment in activities, or diminished quality of life.
The degree to which not wearing a seat belt affects compensation depends upon how much it is likely to have contributed to your suffering. For instance, if you initially sought $1,000 for non-economic damages, but the judge or jury finds your not wearing a seatbelt compounded your suffering by 25%, you may only receive $750.
What Are Ohio’s Seat Belt Laws?
In Ohio, all drivers and front-seat passengers must wear a seat belt. Children between the ages of eight and 15 must wear a seat belt as well, even if they are in the backseat, and children younger than eight must be strapped into a car seat, booster seat, or safety seat depending on their age and weight.
What if I Was Not Wearing a Seat Belt at the Time of My Car Accident and I Was a Passenger?
Whether you were a passenger or driver may have little or no bearing on the amount of compensation you can pursue for non-economic damages.
What Types of Compensation Can You Seek After an Ohio Car Crash?
If you were not wearing a seat belt at the time of your car accident, you may have suffered grievous injuries, including fractures, spinal cord injuries, or traumatic brain injuries, all of which can have a substantial short and long-term impact.
The types of compensation you can seek include, but are not limited to:
- Current and reasonably anticipated medical bills
- Ongoing healthcare costs, including physical or occupational therapy, medical devices and equipment, and in-home care
- Lost wages for hours you missed because of your injuries
- Diminished earning potential if you cannot return to your previous job because of your injuries
- Reduced quality of life
- Past and future emotional pain and anguish
A lawyer can help you identify all the losses for which you are eligible to seek compensation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Ohio?
According to Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10 (A), you have two years from the date of your accident to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. There are exceptions
The longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to make your case. This is partially because it can become increasingly difficult to round up evidence from the scene, like security footage or eyewitness testimonies.
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What Compensation Can I Recover After a Car Crash?
The compensation you can recover depends on several factors, including seat belt use. However, you could obtain compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Miscellaneous accident-related expenses
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish (seat belt use can affect what you can recover for this)
Our team can help you determine the potential value of your case.
Our Team Can Help You After an Accident, Regardless of Seat Belt Use
If you were injured in a car accident, turn to the Fitch Law Firm LLC for support pursuing the compensation you deserve. Call (614) 545-3930 to discuss your case with a personal injury team member today. We offer free consultations.
Call or text 614-545-3930 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form