West Virginia is a breathtaking state, one whose landscape is rugged and varied. But beautiful landscapes can create some challenging driving conditions, and in order to keep everyone safe, West Virginia has its own driving laws in place.
Knowing and obeying them keeps everyone safe. However, even if someone disobeys them and ends up causing a calamitous accident, there are options for legal recourse. Just because you got injured in an accident in West Virginia doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get your life back on track.
Specific Rules in West Virginia
Getting to know all of West Virginia’s driving laws is worth your time. Here are several of the ones you should know.
Seat belts: In the front seats, all occupants have to be wearing seat belts. In the backseat, only passengers ages 8-17 need to wear seatbelts; passengers under the age of 8 have to be in an appropriate child restraint system, and drivers 18 and over can choose not to wear seat belts.
Drunk driving: If you’re going to drive after having a drink, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) cannot be 0.08 or more-- that’s considered driving under the influence. If your BAC is particularly high or this isn’t your first offense, you may also be ordered to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your car.
Open container laws: The passenger area of the vehicle cannot have open containers of alcohol in it. That being said, those open containers can be placed in the trunk, and closed containers can be transported in the passenger area of the vehicle.
Distracted driving: Any activity that takes your eyes or mind off the road is considered distracted driving. West Virginia has banned both texting and using a handheld device while driving in order to deter people from engaging in either activity.
Distracted Driving and Your West Virginia Auto Accident
Some people think they can get away with texting while driving, and that type of attitude can put other drivers in danger. Your West Virginia auto accident may have been with a person who was texting while driving, and you could have suffered catastrophic injuries as a result.
Suddenly, your mobility has become limited and you find yourself unable to work.
West Virginia is a tort state, which means that you could get compensation for your accident if you are able to prove that the other driver is liable. Proving this can be difficult--even if the other driver was doing something as clear-cut and wrong as texting while driving-- and it is best left to a personal injury attorney.
Hiring a Personal injury Lawyer
An experienced personal injury attorney can answer your questions, help you with the claims process, and even file a claim and argue on your behalf. This not only lets someone knowledgeable take over your case-- it also gives you the time that you need to recover.
Grant yourself some peace of mind and contact a personal injury attorney today for a free consultation.
