Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
Natalie's Bill Massachusetts Seatbelt Laws
Massachusetts Seat Belt Laws
Massachusetts seat belt laws were introduced to protect vehicle occupants from being ejected from the vehicle in the event of a single or multi-car accident.
Massachusetts seat belt law states that anyone, over the age of 16, riding in or operating a motor vehicle must wear a properly fastened seat belt. Under the seat belt law, a police officer can fine the driver and any passenger over the age of 16 for not wearing a seat belt.
The fine for not wearing a seat belt is $25.
In addition, a driver who is involved in a car accident where passengers under 16 are not wearing seat belts will receive a fine for each of these passengers.
Secondary Offense
Seatbelt violations are considered a "secondary offense" in Massachusetts.
This means that you can get a ticket for not wearing a seat belt after you have been pulled over for another offense, but a police officer cannot pull you over just because you are not wearing your seat belt.
When it comes to seat belt use, Massachusetts is one of the lowest ranking states. Roughly 135 people die each year in motor vehicle accidents. Experts say that some of these deaths could be prevented by adopting stricter seat belt laws.
What is Natalie's Bill?
Under the current Massachusetts seatbelt regulations, police do not have the power to pull you over for failure to wear a seat belt while driving or riding in a car.
However, knowing that seat belts save lives in catastrophic car accidents, the need for stricter seat belt laws has been voiced in the recent proposal for accepting the so-called Natalie's Bill.
"Natalie's Bill", or Massachusetts primary seatbelt law, could potentially save 18 lives a year, 600 cases of serious injury and $168 million in healthcare costs, insurance claims and lost wages.
Who Was Natalie?
Natalie was a 21-year-old woman who tragically lost her life in a fatal car accident. Since she wasn't wearing a seat belt at the time, Natalie suffered fatal injuries when the full force of the crash ejected her from the vehicle.
While Natalie survived the initial impact of the collision, the force that sent her flying from the vehicle caused a fatal brain injury that eventually claimed her life. Had she been wearing a seat belt, she would have been survived the crash.
Adopting a primary seat belt law in Massachusetts that would require all vehicle occupants to be properly restrained and allow the police to pull over any driver for not wearing a seat belt, would save lives in the long run.
As a Boston personal injury law firm that has seen firsthand the catastrophic damage that can result from car accidents, especially when the victims were not wearing seat belts, we highly recommend that you and everyone in your vehicle wears a seat belt at all times.
If you have been injured in a Massachusetts car accident that was caused by someone else's negligence, contact the Boston personal injury lawyers at the Kiley Law Group to find out how you can file a personal injury claim or a lawsuit against the negligent party.
Our car accident lawyers have 30 years of experience in obtaining seven figure settlements and verdicts for our clients in auto accident cases.
Call 888-208-1695 to receive a Free legal consultation.
