Virginia is growing, and more cars, traffic violations, and accidents come with more people. The most common traffic violations in Virginia are listed below. If another driver violates the law and injures you in an accident, retain a Virginia car accident attorney immediately.
Virginia Car Accident Statistics
In Virginia, car accident statistics reveal a significant public safety concern, with traffic violations like speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence playing a substantial role in crashes.
According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, over 122,000 crashes occurred in a recent year, resulting in 942 fatal crashes and 37,550 injury crashes, with a total of 1,005 fatalities, marking a 15-year high. These numbers highlight the persistent danger on Virginia’s roads, where a collision occurs roughly every 4 minutes, and approximately 163 people suffer an injury daily.
Speeding And Reckless Driving Trigger Many Accidents
Speeding remains a leading cause of serious accidents in Virginia, contributing to over 21 percent of crashes in a recent year, with 22,479 incidents, 406 deaths, and 11,528 injuries. Speeding increases crash severity by reducing reaction times and amplifying impact forces, often leading to catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries or fatalities.
Virginia’s reckless driving law, which classifies speeds over 80 miles per hour or 20 miles per hour above the limit as a Class 1 misdemeanor, reflects the state’s effort to curb this behavior. When speeding causes an accident, a car accident lawyer can utilize evidence such as police reports or traffic camera footage to establish negligence, thereby helping victims secure compensation for medical expenses and other related losses.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving, particularly from cellphone use, is another major contributor to Virginia’s accident statistics. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that distractions like texting or reaching for objects are involved in 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes. Distracted Drivers in Virginia continue to pose a serious threat to road safety, with 2022 data showing distraction was a factor in nearly one in five crashes statewide. For example, texting while driving at 55 miles per hour is equivalent to traveling a football field’s length without looking at the road, significantly increasing collision risks. Attorneys leverage data like phone records or witness accounts to hold distracted drivers accountable, especially in cases involving severe injuries or fatalities.
DUI Statistics
Driving under the influence accounted for 32.1 percent of Virginia’s traffic fatalities in 2020, with 272 deaths in alcohol-related crashes. DUI impairs judgment and reaction times, often leading to high-impact collisions. Virginia’s strict DUI laws impose penalties like a one-year license suspension and fines for a first offense, but the human toll is profound, with 7,137 serious injuries reported in 2022 crashes.
Most Common Virginia Traffic Violations
In Virginia, traffic violations are common and can range from minor infractions to serious criminal offenses, each carrying specific penalties like fines, demerit points, and potential jail time. A Virginia Traffic Accident often results from these violations, with speeding, reckless driving, driving under the influence, and failure to obey traffic signals or signs among the most frequent causes. Understanding these violations is vital, as they can impact your driving record, insurance rates, and even your freedom.
Speeding
Speeding is the most common traffic violation in Virginia, resulting in thousands of serious accidents each year. It involves exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions, such as during rain or snow. Speeding tickets typically result in fines of $6 per mile over the limit on highways, $7 per mile in school or work zones, $8 per mile plus a $200 fine in residential areas, and a $66-$86 processing fee.
Speeding 10-19 miles per hour over the limit is a four-point violation, while lesser speeds may carry three points. Speeding Is the Most Common Cause of Collisions in Virginia, contributing to thousands of accidents each year. If a driver exceeds 20 miles per hour over the limit or drives over 80 miles per hour, they may face a reckless driving charge, a Class 1 misdemeanor, which carries a potential penalty of up to 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine, and six demerit points.
According to Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles, speeding was a factor in 23 percent of fatal crashes in recent years. For example, driving 20 miles per hour over the limit or above 80 miles per hour is classified as reckless driving, a Class 1 misdemeanor carrying penalties of up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
When speeding leads to an accident, the high velocity often results in severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries or spinal damage, making it a key focus in negligence claims handled by car accident lawyers.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is another prevalent violation, classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor due to its danger to public safety. It includes behaviors like driving 20 miles per hour or more over the speed limit, exceeding 80 miles per hour regardless of the limit, or driving in a way that endangers others, such as aggressive lane changes.
Penalties include up to 12 months in jail, a $2,500 fine, a six-month license suspension, and six demerit points. If reckless driving causes serious injury or death, it may escalate to a felony with up to seven years in prison.
For instance, a driver weaving through heavy traffic on I-95 may lose control or force others to swerve, causing multi-vehicle pileups. Such accidents often result in serious injuries or fatalities, as the reckless driver’s actions leave little room for others to avoid harm. Virginia car accident attorney use evidence such as traffic camera footage or witness statements to link these violations to the causation of the crash.
DUI
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious traffic offense in Virginia, typically charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor for first and second offenses. A blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher triggers a DUI charge, though impairment at lower levels can also lead to charges.
Penalties for a first offense include a $250 fine, up to 12 months in jail, and a one-year license suspension, with four demerit points. A second offense within five years carries a mandatory 20-day jail sentence and a $500 fine, while a third offense within ten years is a felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $1,000 fine. DUIs often require an ignition interlock device and can significantly impact employment and insurance, making legal counsel essential.
Failure To Obey Signs And Signals
Another common infraction is failing to obey traffic signals or signs, such as running a red light or ignoring a stop sign. These violations carry three demerit points and fines of up to $250; improper driving can result in penalties of up to $500.
Other frequent infractions include following too closely, improper turning, illegal U-turns, and failure to yield, each typically resulting in three or four demerit points and fines. While less severe than misdemeanors, these violations can accumulate points, leading to license suspension and higher insurance rates. A driver may also be held Liable if a Road Hazard Causes an accident and they failed to react appropriately or contributed to the danger. For accident victims, proving another driver’s history of such violations can strengthen a personal injury claim.
Unfortunately, many serious car accidents in Virginia often result from traffic infractions. Tell the police if you think a negligent driver broke the law and injured you in a car accident. The other driver being cited for a traffic violation may be helpful if you file a claim against them. The traffic ticket may be evidence that the other driver violated the law and injured you.
How Your Car Accident Attorney Proves Negligence
Suppose the other driver was speeding, ran a red light, and hit your vehicle. The other driver was likely at fault, but this must be proven. How does your attorney prove negligence?
Proving Negligence
In Virginia, proving negligence in a car accident case involving a speeding driver is a critical step for a Virginia car accident attorney to secure compensation for their client. Negligence occurs when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care, causing harm to others.
For a speeding driver, an attorney must demonstrate that the driver’s actions breached a duty of care, directly caused the accident, and resulted in damages. This process involves gathering evidence, applying Virginia’s legal standards, and building a compelling case. Below is an explanation of how a car accident attorney in Virginia proves negligence when a speeding driver is at fault.
Demonstrating Duty Of Care
The first step is establishing the duty of care owed by the speeding driver. In Virginia, all drivers have a legal obligation to drive safely and adhere to traffic laws, including posted speed limits. An attorney will argue that the speeding driver had a duty to drive at a safe speed, considering factors such as road conditions, traffic, and weather.
For example, Virginia law prohibits exceeding posted speed limits or driving faster than is reasonable under the circumstances. By proving the driver was speeding, through police reports, traffic camera footage, or witness testimony, the attorney establishes a breach of this duty.
Prove Excessive Speeding Caused The Crash
Next, Virginia car accident attorney must prove that the speeding driver’s actions directly caused the accident. It involves collecting evidence to link the excessive speed to the collision. Common evidence includes skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, and accident reconstruction reports from experts who can demonstrate how speeding reduced the driver’s reaction time or stopping distance.
For instance, if a driver was traveling 20 miles per hour over the limit, the attorney might use data showing that the crash could have been avoided at a legal speed. Speeding Is a Leading Cause of Accidents in Virginia, contributing significantly to both injuries and fatalities. In Virginia, speeding over 80 miles per hour or 20 miles per hour above the posted speed limit is considered reckless driving, a Class 1 misdemeanor, which strengthens the negligence claim by demonstrating a willful disregard for safety.
Prove Your Damages
The car accident attorney then demonstrates that the speeding caused specific damages, such as medical expenses, lost income, or pain and suffering. Medical records, repair bills, and employment documents are used to quantify these losses.
Prove You Didn’t Cause The Accident
In Virginia, contributory negligence laws pose a challenge; if the injured party is found even slightly at fault, they may recover nothing. A skilled auto accident attorney will counter this by showing that the speeding driver was entirely responsible, using evidence such as dashcam footage or statements from unbiased witnesses. For example, if the speeding driver rear-ended the victim at a stoplight, the attorney can argue the victim had no role in causing the crash.
Finally, the Virginia car accident attorney manages Virginia’s legal process to present the case effectively. They may negotiate with insurance companies, which often downplay the role to minimize payouts. If a settlement isn’t reached, the attorney prepares for court, using expert testimony and detailed evidence to persuade a judge or jury.
What Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?
Determining the value of a car accident lawsuit in Virginia depends on several factors specific to your case, as each accident involves unique circumstances, injuries, and losses. A car accident lawyer evaluates these elements to estimate your claim’s worth, considering economic damages like medical expenses and lost income, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering. Understanding How to Make a Claim is essential, particularly with Virginia’s contributory negligence rule, which bars recovery if you’re even slightly at fault, adding complexity and making legal skill critical.
Economic Damages
The first factor is the extent of your economic damages, which are tangible losses with clear monetary values. These include medical bills for treatments like hospital stays, surgeries, or physical therapy, and future medical costs if injuries require ongoing care.
For example, a serious injury from a speeding driver’s crash, such as a spinal injury, can result in medical expenses exceeding $100,000. Lost income from missed work or reduced earning capacity due to disability is also included. If you earn $50,000 annually and miss six months of work, that’s $25,000 in lost income. A lawyer gathers medical records, bills, and employment documents to accurately quantify these costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages, like pain and suffering or emotional distress, are harder to calculate but significantly impact your lawsuit’s value. Virginia courts allow compensation for physical pain, mental anguish, and reduced quality of life, often calculated as a multiple of economic damages or on a per-day basis until recovery.
Contact A Car Accident Attorney Now
If you’ve suffered an injury in a car accident in Virginia and need legal help, contact a Virginia car accident attorney. They will review your case at no cost and outline your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation; contact a lawyer today.
