Texas Seat Belt Laws

It is important for everyone to know and understand the seat belt laws in Texas. Whether you are riding alone or have other adults or children riding in your vehicle as passengers, you should ensure that everyone wears a seat belt. Wearing a seat belt is not only a legal requirement in Texas but also a crucial safety measure. Seat belts significantly reduce the risk of severe injury or death in the event of an accident. Despite their importance, many people still neglect to use them, putting themselves at greater risk.

Accidents where individuals were not wearing seat belts in or near San Antonio

Even though seat belts are required, many people still choose to not wear them when driving or riding in a vehicle. When this happens, they put themselves at risk of life-threatening injuries or death in the event of an accident. Here are a few notable incidents in and around San Antonio:

• In March 2024, a Ford Explorer driver failed to yield, causing a collision with a jeep. The jeep’s young passenger, who wasn’t wearing a seat belt, was thrown into the windshield and suffered serious injuries. The jeep driver was intoxicated, and the Ford driver was unlicensed.
• In January 2024, a 22-year-old woman was found lying a few feet from her vehicle in San Antonio. Her passenger explained that they were having issues with the vehicle’s tires before the crash occurred. Unfortunately, the woman was not wearing a seat belt, causing her to become ejected from the vehicle as it flipped several times. The passenger sustained no injuries, but the woman was pronounced dead.
• In January 2022, a driver and passenger in a pickup truck were killed in a car crash in Castle Hills, less than 20 minutes from San Antonio. They were not wearing seat belts when the driver fell asleep or had a medical episode behind the wheel, causing the truck to hit a concrete barrier. Both doors to the truck had to be completely removed to get the bodies out because they had shifted during the accident and become stuck under the dashboard area.

What are the seat belt laws in TX?

According to the Texas Department of Transportation, all drivers and passengers are required by law to wear seat belts when driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Your seat belt should fit directly across your hips, and the shoulder strap should go directly over your shoulder and the middle of your chest area. Even if it may seem more comfortable to move the shoulder strap under your arm or place it behind you, you should refrain from doing this as it will not protect you. If you have a child who is eight years of age or younger, they must be placed in the appropriate car restraint system and buckled up in the back seat.

Tex. Transp. Code § 545.413 was signed in November 2023 and states the following:

• Individuals 15 and older commit an offense if they do not wear a seat belt while riding in a vehicle as a passenger.
• Individuals who drive a vehicle and allow a child 17 and under to ride in the vehicle without a seat belt commit an offense.
• All passenger vehicles must be equipped with seat belts for drivers and passengers to use.
• Exemptions may apply for medical reasons, certain job-related duties, or specific types of vehicles (e.g., USPS vehicles, newspaper delivery, utility work, farm vehicles under 48,000 pounds, and solid waste transport).

If you are caught not wearing a seat belt, you may have to pay a fine of up to $200. If your child is found to not be in a proper child restraining system based on their age, you may have to pay a fine of up to $250.

The importance of seat belts in motor vehicles

Seat belts are essential for keeping occupants in place during a crash, thereby reducing the risk of serious injuries. Without seat belts, individuals who are involved in collisions are usually thrown around inside the vehicle, causing them to strike various parts of the interior of the vehicle.

In addition, individuals are more likely to be ejected or thrown from the vehicle and onto the hard asphalt or pavement, leading to severe and fatal injuries. The National Safety Council (NSC) states that seat belts have saved 374,276 lives from 1975 to 2017, making these equipment features a very simple and effective way to keep occupants of vehicles safe and harm-free while on the roadway.

If you suffered injuries in a car accident due to the negligent behavior of another driver, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Pat Maloney: Accident & Injury Attorney at your earliest opportunity. Even if you believe that you may have contributed to the accident or your injuries by not wearing a seat belt, do not let that prevent you from calling us. Our legal team knows and understands the obstacles and challenges that accident victims face, which is why we are dedicated to providing you with strong and effective legal representation. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free consultation and learn how we will help you pursue the compensation you are entitled to today.