Understanding New Jersey Seatbelt Laws

Along with a handful of other states, New Jersey has adapted some fairly strict seatbelt laws that go above and beyond federal laws. These laws apply to anyone driving or riding in a motor vehicle in the state, even if you don’t live there. Remember, these laws are to prevent seatbelt injury in the event of a car crash.

Some people choose to not wear a seatbelt because they are afraid that the seatbelt design will cause injury. While there have been some major seatbelt recalls in the past, it is still the safest option to actually wear your seatbelt. If you have been injured by a seatbelt problem, contact a lawyer today by filling out this form. This is not the norm, and you have legal rights.

The statistics surrounding seatbelts are scary. It is always in your best interest to wear your seatbelt. Injury is common for those not wearing a seatbelt, and to help combat this, New Jersey has issued some strict laws. If you plan to travel to or through New Jersey, here’s what you need to know about seatbelts:

• All passenger vehicles must have a seatbelt for every person. This includes all cars, vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks. This federal law is meant to keep you safe. Car manufacturers must assume responsibility for seat belts. Have you been injured due to a seatbelt that malfunctioned? Contact a lawyer right away.
• The driver must wear a properly adjusted seatbelt at all times to prevent seatbelt injury during a car crash.
• Anyone sitting in the front seat, regardless of age, must wear a seat belt.
• Children under age 8 or under 80 pounds must ride in a car seat or use a booster seat appropriate to their weight. If a child is under 8 but over 80 pounds, he or she does not have to use a booster seat, but must wear a seatbelt to prevent seatbelt injury.
• All passengers under the age of 18 must where a seatbelt, regardless of weight or where they are sitting. The driver assumes responsibility for all of these passengers during a car crash and during typical driving conditions.
• Children in a booster seat or car seat (under the age of 8), must ride in the rear seat of the motor vehicle. If there is no rear seat, they may sit in the front, but must still be in the booster seat or car seat.
• Fines for not wearing a seatbelt start at $20 per person.

Keep in mind, however, that you should not only abide by these laws, but you should always stay as safe as possible to avoid a car crash. This means wearing your seatbelt every time you drive anywhere, even if law does not require you to wear one…and even if you’re not in New Jersey! Seatbelts can save your life during a car crash when worn correctly. Although some people resist wearing a seatbelt, it is much safer to wear one than to worry about seatbelt problems. If you have experienced a seatbelt injury, don’t stop wearing it! Instead, contact a lawyer using this form to learn about your legal rights.

Please fill out the form below to see if you have a Seatbelt Failure case.

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First Name:
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SEATBELT FAILURE INFORMATION
Date of Accident:	January February March April May June July August September October November December 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 1905 1904 1903 1902 1901
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