How the New Virginia Seat Belt Laws Could Impact your Personal Injury Case
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- Written by: PLDR
Buckle up – Stricter Seat Belt Laws to be Enforced beginning July 1, 2025
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Virginia ranked last in seat belt usage rates in the US, with only 73.2% of occupants reportedly wearing seat belts in 2023. This statistic may be linked to Virginia’s historically lenient seat belt laws – a dynamic that could shift dramatically with the introduction of the state’s newly strengthened seat belt regulations scheduled to begin being enforced on July 1, 2025.
According to VA Code § 46.2-1094, occupants of the front seat of motor vehicles and anyone else under the age of 18 must be buckled up. This law has been in effect since 1988, with minor amendments noted in 1993, 1997, 2010, and 2020. However, the newly passed House Bill 2475, also known as the “Christopher King Seat Belt Law”, requires all vehicle occupants, regardless of age or seating position, to be buckled up.
Contributory Negligence
Virginia is one of the few states that still applies contributory negligence principles to personal injury matters. If you are found to be in any way at fault, however minor, you are barred from pursuing damages.
Although there are some exceptions, such as the common carrier exception, contributory negligence laws typically universally apply to personal injury claims.
What Does this Mean for My Personal Injury Case?
Virginia still adheres to some of the strictest contributory negligence laws in the nation. It is certainly important to consider the implications that this new law might have on a potential contributory negligence counterargument.
Fortunately, the usage of a seat belt, or lack thereof, cannot be admitted as evidence against you in a personal injury case. VA Code § 46.2-1094 specifies that the failure to wear a seat belt shall not constitute negligence, cannot be considered in mitigation of damages of whatever nature, cannot be admissible in evidence, and cannot be the subject of comment by counsel in any action for the recovery of damages.
Why this Law is Still Important to Consider
Although this new law will not prohibit you from pursuing your personal injury claim, it is incredibly important to adhere to it and to wear a seat belt.
According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, over 1/3 of fatalities from motor vehicle accidents in 2022 involved unrestrained occupants. Numerous studies show that wearing a seat belt protects against serious injury and significantly lowers the risk of death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts have saved an estimated 374,376 lives since 1975. Buckle up and stay safe!
Contact PLDR Law for a Free Consultation on Your Personal Injury Claim Today
Navigating a personal injury claim can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to go through it alone. Our experienced team of personal injury attorneys and dedicated support staff is here to guide you every step of the way. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your case, call us today at 434-846-2768 or email us at
***Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. It is not intended to convey or constitute legal advice or counsel. ***
House Bill 315 Works to Speed Up Payments to Injured Parties
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- Written by: PLDR
For personal injury victims who receive Medicaid benefits, the Commonwealth of Virginia retains a lien on the personal injury recovery, regardless of whether funds are received via settlement or verdict. The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) handles resolution of those liens. Unfortunately, since the DMAS offices closed during COVID, resolution of those liens have been delayed by as much as two years, delaying funds paid to injured parties. A significant backlog of lien payoff requests are pending within DMAS. Now Virginia trial attorneys, including members of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association (VTLA) are pushing for legislation to speed up lien resolutions, cutting down time to a few months. Check out the video of the bill in committee, which passed committee 8-0.
If you need help with a personal injury case or would like to make a referral, we will accept the following types of cases:
- Automobile accident
- Motorcycle accident
- Bicycle accident
- Pedestrian accident
- Tractor Trailer accident
- Dog Bite
- Slip and Fall
- Wrongful Death
LEO 1739 allows fee splitting, provided that the referring attorney assesses the client's legal matter and determines that a referral is appropriate or necessary. Rule 1.5(e) of the Rules of Professional Conduct further governs when a division of fees is permitted. For more questions about personal injury cases, please contact us by phone or e-mail at
2022 State Legislative Bills of Interest
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- Written by: Chad A. Mooney
Several new bills have been approved (or rejected) by the General Assembly and awaiting the Governor’s decision, some of which affect litigation and personal injury. Stay current with developments in the law by following PLDR Law.
Does Charitable Immunity Bar All Personal Injury Claims in Virginia?
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- Written by: Chad A. Mooney
Many people expect that all negligent actors can be held liable for damages. In Virginia, however, charities are immune for acts of ordinary negligence. This means that an injured party, even if a member or beneficiary of the charity, cannot sue a charity or its employees, provided due care had been exercised in selecting and retaining the employees.
Can Creditors Reach My Personal Injury Settlement?
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- Written by: Luke J. Malloy
Generally, creditors cannot reach proceeds from a personal injury or wrongful death settlement because such proceeds are exempt under Virginia Law. However, there are several important exceptions to this rule. One of these exceptions is for medical providers who provide treatment to the injured party. According to Code of Virginia Section 8.01-66.2, certain medical providers may claim limited amounts from a personal injury settlement when they provide services to a person who was injured by another. The statutory limit of the lien is $2,500 in the case of a hospital or nursing home, $750 for each physician, nurse, physical therapist, or pharmacy, and $200 for each emergency medical services provider or agency. If your medical bills are paid by your health insurance, the health insurance company may seek reimbursement from your settlement as well, but the right of reimbursement must be stated in the plan documents. Other liens, such as those asserted by Medicare and Medicaid, may also affect or reduce an injured party’s recovery.
What is Medical Payments Coverage?
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- Written by: Chad A. Mooney
Medical payments coverage is “no-fault” optional automobile insurance in Virginia. “No-fault” means that an injured person can receive proceeds from this coverage for personal injuries stemming from an auto accident regardless of who was at fault. “Medical payments” and “medical expense” is the same type of coverage, often used interchangeably. Attorneys and insurance adjusters simply refer to it as “MedPay.” Insurance companies will offer medical expense coverage typically in amounts of $1,000, $2,000, or $5,000. A car owner can purchase this optional coverage in addition to liability coverage (bodily injury and property damage).
Why You Need Significant Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage
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- Written by: Chad A. Mooney
Automobile insurance is generally understood by many as a means to protect assets from injured third parties, also known as liability coverage. What happens, though, when you are injured by an at-fault driver who has low insurance limits or no insurance? Your own policy will carry coverage known as uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM). This coverage can help guard against an adverse financial impact caused by an irresponsible driver.
When a Criminal Conviction is Not Enough: Punitive Damages Against Drunk Drivers
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- Written by: Amy Miles Kowalski and Chad A. Mooney
A drunk driver who causes injury may escape jail time altogether, and any restitution may not even cover the injured party’s medical bills. However, if you are injured by a drunk driver, you may be able to recover more than just damages that compensate you for your injuries and damage to your property. Virginia recognizes a category of damages called “punitive damages” that operates to punish a wrongdoer over and above the amount of damage caused to the victim and to deter egregious conduct. Punitive damages are especially helpful in drunk driving cases when the criminal penalty imposed may seem insufficient.
Prepaid Traffic Tickets: An Admission of Guilt
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- Written by: Amy Miles Kowalski and Chad A. Mooney
You have been injured in an accident while the other driver seemingly walks away with a traffic ticket, perhaps for speeding or running a red light. You pause and wonder about the fairness of this situation. Although the other driver may be tempted to avoid the hassle of court and instead opt to prepay the associated fine, the law may be on your side.
New Laws in Virginia (Effective July 1, 2018)
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- Written by: Chad A. Mooney
As the calendar rolled over to July 1, 2018, new laws have taken effect in the Commonwealth. The following “short” list is not comprehensive, but includes those laws that may have interest among personal injury and civil litigation attorneys.
General District Court 101: What to Expect
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- Written by: Amy Miles Kowalski
When you sue someone or are being sued, chances are high that you will find yourself in one of Virginia’s General District Courts (the “GDC”). The GDC oversees the adjudication of small civil claims, which is the focus of this post. Other matters handled by the GDC include traffic violations, minor criminal cases known as misdemeanors and preliminary hearings for more serious criminal cases called felonies.
