Attn: Grizlaw or anyone who knows

[longhorn_22]

If somone is in a car accident and they are not wearing a seat belt, are they liable to pay for their own medical bills or will the insurance still pay?

And, what is the rule on older cars and the law of wearing a seatbelt? One of my friends claims that his car is old enough that he is not required to wear a seatbelt. Is this true?

[Grizlaw]

If somone is in a car accident and they are not wearing a seat belt, are they liable to pay for their own medical bills or will the insurance still pay?

And, what is the rule on older cars and the law of wearing a seatbelt? One of my friends claims that his car is old enough that he is not required to wear a seatbelt. Is this true?

Both of these could potentially vary by state (and it's not an area that I keep up with at all), so take this with a grain of salt. Having said that...

Your first question is actually a pretty hotly-debated reform topic (i.e., whether insurance companies can/should put clauses in their policies excluding injuries from not wearing a seatbelt, or whether state legislatures should pass laws to that end). Right now, insurance companies still pay damages for injuries sustained even if the person isn't wearing a seatbelt (I think that's true in all 50 states, but don't hold me to that -- I've never read a case to the contrary though).

As to your second question -- your friend is talking about the "grandfather clauses" that were put into a lot of states' seatbelt laws. In many states, the rule is that if the car is old enough that it doesn't have seatbelts, then you don't have to wear them. I think if the car has seatbelts, though, then you have to wear one (even if the car is old enough that it was made before cars were required to have seatbelts). I've never actually seen Montana's statute on that topic, though; this is just my general understanding of how these laws were written in most states.

[longhorn_22]

Thanks a bunch, GL.

[mslacat]

Thanks a bunch, GL.

His bill will be PM'd to you on the 31st

[Grizlaw]

Thanks a bunch, GL.

His bill will be PM'd to you on the 31st

Yep. Don't worry though Longhorn; it only took me 3.7 hours to write that email.

[mslacat]

Thanks a bunch, GL.

His bill will be PM'd to you on the 31st

Yep. Don't worry though Longhorn; it only took me 3.7 hours to write that email.

That reminds me. I had a attorney charge me 3.45 hours! thats 3 hours and 27 minutes. How the hell did she come up with that!! I also bill for services, and I have the hardest time keeping track of my hours in 1/4 hour incriments. Do lawyers have special time stamp clocks on there desk! How in gods name do you keep track of time in .05 of an hour (3 minutes) incriments! They are guessing, I know they are!

[longhorn_22]

Thanks a bunch, GL.

His bill will be PM'd to you on the 31st

Yep. Don't worry though Longhorn; it only took me 3.7 hours to write that email.

*starts writing check*

[Billings_Griz]

Thanks a bunch, GL.

His bill will be PM'd to you on the 31st

Yep. Don't worry though Longhorn; it only took me 3.7 hours to write that email.

*starts writing check*

Keep in mind he's a UM grad. Those UM grads are better/more expensive.

[catamaran]

That's why my pizzas always cost more when the guy with dreads brings it

[whitetrashgriz]

i'm sure you can just buy him a bag, or at the very least, pay with a griz sweatshirt, circa 1995.

[grizzh8r]

i'm sure you can just buy him a bag, or at the very least, pay with a griz sweatshirt, circa 1995.