Bill > S0854

This bill, concerning safety belt violations in South Carolina, proposes to amend Section 56-5-6540 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. The key change is that a violation of safety belt laws will now be admissible as evidence in a civil lawsuit if that violation directly contributed to the damages being claimed in the lawsuit. Previously, such violations were explicitly not allowed as evidence in civil cases, even if they were a direct cause of harm, and were not considered automatic negligence. The bill aims to allow juries or judges to consider evidence of a safety belt violation when determining fault and the extent of damages in civil cases, such as personal injury lawsuits arising from car accidents.

Justice

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0854&session=126&summary=B