Governor Holcomb recently signed House Enrolled Act No. 1090 into law. This new law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies to causes of action (accidents) that occur after June 30, 2024. If a plaintiff is at least fifteen (15) years old at the time of the accident and was not complying with Indiana seat belt laws, evidence of that noncompliance can be admitted to mitigate damages in a civil action. The defendant must (1) prove noncompliance and (2) show that compliance with Indiana seat belt laws would have reduced injuries.
Written by Madeline Richmond, Attorney in Lewis Wagner’s Transportation Practice Group.