Seat belts save lives and reduce injuries, but not wearing one can also affect what happens after a crash. In Maryland, seat belt laws don’t just help prevent harm — they can also play a role in the outcome of an injury claim.
If you’re involved in a serious car accident, your use of a seat belt may influence the compensation you can receive.
Maryland’s seat belt law basics
Maryland law requires all drivers and passengers to wear seat belts. This applies to both front and back seats. Failing to buckle up can lead to fines, but that’s not the only consequence. If you’re injured in a crash and weren’t wearing a seat belt, the other side might try to reduce your compensation by claiming your injuries were worse because of it.
How seat belt use affects claims
Maryland follows the rule of contributory negligence. This means if you’re found even slightly at fault for your injuries, you may not be able to recover damages. In some cases, insurance companies or defense attorneys argue that not wearing a seat belt contributed to the severity of the injury. If successful, this argument could block your ability to receive compensation, even if the other driver caused the crash.
Common seat belt-related claim challenges
Insurance companies may point to medical records or accident reports showing you weren’t wearing a seat belt. They might argue that certain injuries — like head trauma or broken ribs — would have been less severe if you had been buckled in. These arguments can complicate a claim, even when the other driver was clearly at fault.
Seat belt use can strengthen your case
Wearing a seat belt doesn’t just protect your safety — it also strengthens your personal injury claim. It removes a common defense tactic and helps show that you took reasonable steps to protect yourself. After an accident, your choices matter, both physically and legally.
