[net.auto] legal penalty for not wearing seatbelts

cosmo@ihuxe.UUCP (r veague) (01/31/84)

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I saw a segment on the local news the other day
about new (?) laws in Illinois and "five other states"
concerning the use of seatbelts.  It seems that if you
are injured in an accident, and the party at fault can
prove your injuries would have been less severe had you
had seatbelts on, the damages awarded to you can be
reduced considerably.  This seems to me to be a good
compromise over mandatory seatbelt usage.  If you fail
to wear your belt, you assume some (or all) of the financial
responsibility for your injuries.

Does anyone know more about these laws?  Do they cover
motorcyclists without helmets?  Are other states adopting
similar laws?

rick "Five point harnesses for everyone!" veague

rib@pyuxdd.UUCP (RI Block) (01/31/84)

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My insurance company, USAA, has decided to use the carrot
rather than the stick. If you're injured while wearing a
seat belt, you get an additional 10K in medical and
death benefits free.