What To Do After A Car Accident In Virginia Beach, Virginia

1. Negligence Laws: In Virginia, car accident cases are typically governed by negligence law. This means that if a driver is negligent, and their negligence causes an accident, they may be held liable for any resulting damages. Negligence is the failure to exercise reasonable care that a prudent person would have exercised under similar circumstances. Virginia follows the contributory negligence doctrine, which means that if the plaintiff is found to have contributed to the accident, even slightly, they may be barred from recovering damages.

2. Statute of Limitations: Virginia has a statute of limitations of two years for car accident cases. This means that if you are involved in a car accident, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for damages. If you fail to file within this time frame, your case may be dismissed.

3. Mandatory Auto Insurance: Virginia requires drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance coverage. Drivers must have liability insurance with minimum coverage limits of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 per accident for property damage. Failure to carry insurance can result in fines, license suspension, and other penalties.

4. Comparative Negligence: Virginia follows the doctrine of pure contributory negligence. This means that if the plaintiff is found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, they may be barred from recovering any damages. This is a strict standard, and it is important to work with an attorney to build a strong case if you are involved in a car accident in Virginia.

5. Seat Belt and Child Safety Seat Laws: Virginia requires drivers and passengers in the front seat of a vehicle to wear seat belts. Children under the age of eight must be properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat.

6. Drunk Driving Laws: Virginia has strict laws against driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is 0.08%, and penalties for drunk driving can include fines, license suspension, and even jail time.

7. Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage: While Virginia requires drivers to carry liability insurance, not all drivers comply with this requirement. To protect against accidents caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers, Virginia law requires insurance companies to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to their customers. This coverage can help cover damages and medical expenses if you are involved in an accident with a driver who has no insurance or insufficient insurance.

8. Cell Phone Use While Driving: In Virginia, it is illegal for drivers to use a handheld cell phone while driving. Drivers may use hands-free devices, but are otherwise prohibited from holding or operating a phone while driving. Violations of this law can result in fines and other penalties.

9. Hit and Run Accidents: If a driver leaves the scene of an accident without stopping or providing their contact information, they can be charged with a hit and run. Hit and run accidents can result in serious consequences, including fines, license suspension, and even jail time.

10. Commercial Vehicle Regulations: In addition to the laws that apply to all drivers, commercial vehicles, such as trucks and buses, are subject to additional regulations. These regulations cover topics such as weight limits, driver qualifications, and vehicle maintenance requirements. Violations of these regulations can result in fines and other penalties.