Buckle up or lose your suit

Everybody knows a seat belt could save your life. And unless you never notice the message signs along local freeways, you know you can be issued a costly ticket unless everybody in your vehicle is buckled up.

But unless you are in the habit of following the Texas Supreme Court, you might not know about a recent case that dramatically changed how seat belt use is treated in lawsuits arising out of vehicle accidents.

Since a landmark case in 1974, Texas courts have held that evidence about seat belt use is not admissible in these suits, because seat belts don’t cause accidents. The practical effect has been that some people who bring suit can recover more money for damages in a settlement or court decision.

No longer, Texas Lawyer reported. In a suit that grew out of an accident on a West Texas highway in which one man died and seven family members were injured, the Supreme Court this month reversed a $2.3 million jury verdict, partly because the family was not wearing seat belts.

Failing to win big bucks in a lawsuit pales against severe injury or loss of life, but it is one more reason to buckle up.

This story was originally published February 27, 2015 at 7:03 PM with the headline "Buckle up or lose your suit."