Can I Still Recover for My Injuries in Iowa If I Wasn’t Wearing My Seatbelt?

In Iowa, all front-seat occupants are required to wear a seatbelt.  However, if you’re involved in a car accident and weren’t wearing your seatbelt, you can still recover compensation for your injuries, provided you were not at fault for the accident.  In such cases, the driver at fault (and their insurance company) will still be responsible for your damages. 

While you can still recover your damages, Iowa law does allow a jury to reduce the amount of your recovery by up to 25% if they find that your failure to wear a seatbelt contributed to your injuries.  For instance, let’s say you were injured in an accident caused by a truck driver who was at fault.  If you suffered $1,000,000 in damages but weren’t wearing your seatbelt, and the jury determines that your injuries were worsened by not wearing it, they could reduce your recovery by 25%.  Instead of receiving the full $1,000,000, you would be awarded $750,000 after the 25% reduction.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact the attorneys at Crimmins & Kehm Law Firm at 515-573-2191 for a free consultation.