Today’s topic is going to be seatbelt defense in car accident cases here in Missouri. So what does that really mean? Well, if you’re involved in a car accident and the other driver is at fault, you are entitled to some compensation for your injuries. Right. So the seat belt defense basically means that the other driver can use that argument to say, hey, because you are not wearing your seatbelt, that should count against you.

And so I’m going to say about 30 plus states allow the seatbelt defense in the United States and some like 15, I believe actually I think 30 don’t allow it at all. So they reject it and about 15 of them do allow it.

So Missouri is one of those states that does allow the seatbelt defense to come into play. And what that basically means, if we go to trial, the defense has the right to bring it up and say, hey, listen, because you are not wearing a seatbelt, that should count against you.

However, they are limited by statute to only 1% of damages reduction. What does that mean? Well, if you’re entitled to $100 and because you are not wearing a seatbelt, they will deduct $1 from from your recovery. Hope this helps. And if you have any questions for me, give me a call. 3143526800.

Thank you. And you have a good day.

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