Wearing a seatbelt might feel like a simple routine. You get in the car, buckle up, and drive off. But sometimes you may wonder: Why is wearing a seatbelt such a big deal? Is it just about following rules, or is there more to it?

In California, seatbelts are not only important for your safety, but they are also required by law. Below, a California car accident attorney will explain why seatbelts matter, what the law says, and how it can affect you and your loved ones.

Why Are Seatbelts So Important?

You want to stay safe when you ride in a car, right? A seatbelt can save your life if you get into an accident. It is like a shield that keeps you from being thrown around the inside of the car. The seatbelt holds your body in place if there is a sudden stop or crash. This can help prevent serious injuries to your head, chest, and other vital areas.

Also, wearing a seatbelt helps protect other people in the car. If you are unrestrained during a crash, your body can move quickly and hurt someone else. When everybody is buckled up, the entire ride is safer for everyone.

What Does California Law Say About Seatbelts?

California has a specific law about wearing seatbelts, found in Vehicle Code Section 27315, also known as the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. This law says that if you are 16 or older, you must wear a safety belt when riding in a motor vehicle on a highway. The law also says the driver should make sure that every passenger who is 16 or older wears one. If the police pull you over and you are not wearing your seatbelt, you can get a ticket.

If you own the car, you also need to keep the seatbelts working properly. That means if a seatbelt is broken or frayed, you need to fix or replace it. In fact, even taxi and limousine operators have to keep their seatbelts in good shape.

Do Children Have Special Seatbelt Rules?

Yes. The law wants to keep children extra safe because they are smaller and more fragile. If you have a child under eight years old in your car, they must be in the right car seat or booster seat. This seat should be placed in the rear seat of the car. A child under two must ride in a rear-facing car seat (unless they weigh a certain amount or are a certain height). Kids who are at least eight years old (but younger than 16) can use a booster seat or a normal seatbelt if it fits properly.

These specific rules come from Vehicle Code Sections 27360 and 27360.5. They are designed to shield children during accidents. When children are buckled up correctly, they have a better chance of avoiding serious injury if a crash happens.

Are There Any Exceptions?

Sometimes, you will see people riding buses, and you might notice they do not always wear seatbelts. In California, the law also covers seatbelts on buses. If a bus has seatbelts, the bus company must keep them in good condition and tell passengers they should wear them. They can do this either by the driver making an announcement or by posting signs inside the bus.

But there are a couple of exceptions. If a passenger is using the bathroom on a bus, they are obviously not wearing a seatbelt at that moment. Also, if there is a sleeper berth (like a little bed in some larger vehicles), you do not have to wear a seatbelt while you are in it.

What If I Decide Not to Wear a Seatbelt in California?

If a police officer stops you and sees you are not wearing your seatbelt, you can get a ticket. The penalty for a first offense is usually not very high (up to $20 for the first time, plus additional court costs), but it can go up for later offenses. You might think it is “no big deal,” but being pulled over and getting a fine can become expensive if it happens more than once.

Plus, if you have too many tickets, your insurance rate might go up. Insurers see multiple seatbelt violations as a sign that you might not be a safe driver. Your monthly insurance payments could become higher.

How Can Not Wearing a Seatbelt Affect My Court Case?

Not wearing a seatbelt might also affect you if you are ever in an accident and end up in court—especially in a civil court case about injuries or wrongful death. While not wearing a seatbelt in itself does not always prove who caused the accident, it can become evidence that you did not do your part to protect yourself. A judge or jury might see it as a sign of negligence, which could lower the amount of compensation you receive if you were hurt.

For example, imagine you are involved in a car crash. The other driver might be mostly at fault, but if you were not wearing your seatbelt, you might suffer worse injuries. The other side could argue that you should have worn your seatbelt, and your own behavior might reduce how much money you can get from an insurance claim or a lawsuit.

Why Is This So Important in a Wrongful Death Case?

A “wrongful death” is when someone dies because of another person’s carelessness or harmful actions. If a loved one dies in a car crash, you may file a claim or lawsuit against the person responsible.

During that lawsuit, the issue of seatbelt use could arise. If your loved one was not wearing a seatbelt, the other side might say their injuries would have been less severe if they had been buckled in. This is why seatbelt safety can become a key point in a wrongful death case.

If you ever find yourself in that horrible situation, a California wrongful death lawyer can help you understand your legal rights. They can also explain how seatbelt laws might affect your case.

How Else Can a Seatbelt Help Me?

It is not just about avoiding a ticket. A seatbelt can do so much for you:

• Lower Risk of Serious Injury: When you are strapped in, you are less likely to slam into the steering wheel, dashboard, or another person.
• Protect Your Head and Neck: These parts of your body are very fragile.
• Prevent Ejection: In a severe crash, being thrown out of the car can be very dangerous. A seatbelt holds you inside the car’s safety cage.

Also, wearing your seatbelt sets a good example for kids and teenagers. They watch adults to see how they should behave. If they see you buckle up every time, they will learn it is an important habit.

Need Help? Talk to a California Car Accident Lawyer

Seatbelts save lives. They also help protect you legally if you are in a car accident. Following Vehicle Code Section 27315 and the related child seatbelt rules are the law in California. But more than that, it is a simple act that can prevent serious harm to you and the people you love.

If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a car crash, or if you have lost a loved one in an accident, you may have legal options. At Banafshe Law Firm, we proudly serve all of California. Our dedicated team can help you understand your rights, whether you need advice or wish to file a car accident or wrongful death claim.

Hablamos Español. Call us any time of day at 855-997-6599 or contact us online to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION. There are NO FEES UNLESS WE WIN, and we will travel to you if you cannot come to us. Injuries unravel your life—we piece it back together. Stay safe, and remember to buckle up every time you get in a car.