Vermont is a state known for its rugged individuals and free spiritedness. However, just because its citizens are free-spirited does not mean that they live without laws and severe consequences. Vermont and its citizens realize that rules keep people safe, particularly when it comes to the rules of the road.
Obeying those rules makes everyone safer, and disobeying them can put people in great danger. If you find yourself in a car accident in Vermont, then know the laws; knowing your rights can make it easier to figure out your next steps, legally speaking.
Specific Rules in Vermont
Vermont’s driving rules are important to know, and these specific laws can serve as a start to your body of knowledge on the subject.
Seat belts: All vehicle occupants should be wearing a seatbelt when going through Vermont. However, it’s worth noting that although all occupants of a vehicle are supposed to wears seatbelts, if a passenger is 18 or over and not wearing a seatbelt, not doing so is a secondary offense.
Drunk driving: In Vermont, drivers cannot operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more; doing so could open them up to a driving under the influence (DUI) charge. If convicted more than once, the driver will have to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in his or her car.
pen container laws: There shouldn’t be any open containers of alcohol in the passenger area of the car; this essentially means that the containers shouldn’t be in a place where the vehicle occupants can easily access them. A trunk would be an acceptable place to store those open containers.
Distracted driving: Distracted driving refers to any behavior that causes you to take your mind or eyes off the road or take your hands off the wheel. One type of distracted driving that Vermont prohibits is texting while driving, along with using handheld devices while driving.
Distracted Driving and Your Vermont Auto Accident
It’s easy to see how not following these laws could cause a real calamity. A person could be texting while driving and then ram into another driver, leaving them injured and unable to work. Suddenly, the injured party’s life is thrown into flux and the prospect of financial survival looks bleak.
If this happened to you, you do have options so that you don’t fall into poverty over the medical bills. Vermont is a tort state, which means that you can file a personal injury claim against the other driver for compensation.
The key is to prove that the other driver was liable for the accident, and this process of evidence-gathering is best handled by a skilled personal injury attorney.
Hiring a Personal injury Lawyer
Choosing to have a personal injury lawyer on your side can make all the difference in your case; your lawyer will be well-equipped to argue your case while you focus on your recovery. Plus, you won’t have to deal with the anxiety of coming up with upfront payment, since these lawyers normally work on a contingency basis.
There’s no need to wait. Get a free evaluation and get started on the claim that could stabilize your life again.
