STATEHOUSE (Aug. 16, 2024) – Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday ceremonially signed into law legislation authored by State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) allowing disclosure of whether a seat belt was used in a vehicle accident during civil trials.
Previously, Indiana law did not allow a jury in a civil trial to know if the people involved in an accident were wearing their seat belts. With research showing that seat belts significantly reduce the risk of death and injury in a car crash, Pressel said he authored House Enrolled Act 1090 to take seat belts into consideration during trial to determine damages.
"Seat belts do a lot to protect drivers and passengers from serious injury," Pressel said. "So, when someone is injured in accident, it is important to consider all of the factors that may contribute to injuries, such as not wearing seat belts."
Under the law, judges may allow juries to review evidence determining whether a passenger or driver who's at least 15 years old was wearing a seat belt during an accident when deciding damages in civil lawsuits. Pressel said damage determinations are an important part of recovering from the aftermath of a car accident.
For more information on House Enrolled Act 1090, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Jim Pressel (R-Rolling Prairie) represents District 20,
which includes portions of LaPorte and Starke counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: Gov. Eric Holcomb ceremonially signs State Rep. Jim Pressel's (R-Rolling Prairie) law allowing disclosure of whether a seat belt was used in a vehicle accident during civil trials in Indiana Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024, at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Those pictured include Pressel (seated, left) Holcomb (seated, center), bill sponsor State Sen. Michael Crider (R-Greenfield) (seated, right) and State Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel) (standing, second from right). Representatives from the Indiana Department of Transportation were also present.
