Virginia is one of the oldest states in the U.S., which means that it’s had one of the longest-running legal systems in the country. The state has had more time than most to construct a robust system of laws and regulations through the years.
The state has had to add and revise laws to adapt to changes in norms throughout the years. Virginia’s driving laws are a great example of this in action.
Virginia’s driving laws are meant to protect everyone on the road, and this is why it’s dangerous when people don’t follow those rules. Your own accident may have involved someone who disobeyed those laws. That person put your life in danger, and Virginia’s laws give you the possibility to get some recourse.
Specific Rules in Virginia
Safety is paramount when driving anywhere, so commit these Virginia driving laws to memory.
Seat belts:In Virginia, vehicle occupants should all be wearing seatbelts, and if an occupant is under the age of 18, not wearing a seatbelt is a violation of primary law. Vehicle occupants 18 and over who don’t wear seatbelts are only committing a secondary violation; this means that they have to commit another offense in order to be charged with not wearing a seatbelt.
Drunk driving: Nobody, under any circumstances, can drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or more-- doing so will open a driver up to a driving under the influence charge. Drivers under the age of 21 are subject to a zero-tolerance policy that prevents them from driving with a BAC of 0.02 or more.
Open container laws: Having open containers of alcohol in the passenger area of the car is illegal in Virginia. In this context, the passenger area also includes an unlocked glove box. Those containers can be stored in the trunk, however.
Distracted driving: Pretty much any type of activity that keeps you from paying attention to the road can be considered distracted driving. To cut down on distracted driving related to cell phones, Virginia has banned texting while driving and operating a handheld device while driving.
Drunk Driving and Your Virginia Auto Accident
A drunk driver in Virginia can completely alter the course of your life. A driver could have a BAC of 0.14, crash into you, and leave you with serious injuries that keep you from working. Suddenly, all of your life plans have changed and you’re saddled with having to recover and survive--all without having a steady source of income.
Virginia’s legal system may be able to help you. Virginia is a tort state, and this means that you can file a personal injury claim to get compensation for your injury. To get compensation, you need to show that the other driver was behaving negligently, and a personal injury lawyer can help you with that.
Hiring a Personal injury Lawyer
A PI attorney can gather evidence and create a winning case on your behalf. This will allow you to spend your time and energy recovering rather than having to deal with mountains of paperwork. Focus on your health, and leave the rest to a qualified PI attorney.
