Right-of-Way Laws in Virginia [2024 Updated]

Every driver must understand the right-of-way laws in Virginia. The traffic signals, signs, and road markings exist to enable drivers to anticipate the actions of other drivers and maintain a safe flow of traffic. Right-of-way laws ensure that all drivers know the proper way to navigate certain types of intersections to avoid causing accidents, and it is also vital for drivers to remain alert in case other drivers fail to follow these laws.

Understanding Right-of-Way Laws

The right-of-way laws in Virginia aim to ensure the safest possible flow of traffic and to establish clear expectations for all drivers when it comes to safely operating their vehicles. Whenever a driver violates these laws, they can endanger themselves or others. Every year, moving violations are a leading cause of accidents throughout the state, and many of these accidents occur when drivers negligently or intentionally violate the right-of-way laws.

Right-of-way laws apply at all intersections, including those that do not have traffic lights or stop signs. These laws are arguably most important at such intersections so drivers know how to navigate them correctly and safely. There are also additional right-of-way laws that apply to merging into highway traffic and larger main roads from smaller connecting roads, as well as rules for drivers to follow when emergency vehicles are nearby.

Accidental violation of right-of-way laws in the state can potentially cause an accident and result in liability for the resulting damages. Intentional violations of these laws can lead to criminal charges and severe penalties. If you believe that your recent accident happened because another driver violated applicable right-of-way laws, you need an attorney you trust to help you gather evidence to prove your case.

Proving Fault for a Right-of-Way Violation

Virginia follows the fault rule for all vehicle accident cases. This means that the driver at fault for causing an accident absorbs liability for the resulting damages, and an injured driver will need to prove fault before they can claim any compensation for their losses. When a driver has violated the right-of-way rule and caused an accident, you should know what evidence you may need to prove liability.

Witness testimony can be invaluable in these cases. If anyone saw your accident happen, they can report what they saw to help you prove another driver violated the right-of-way and caused your accident. If there were any traffic cameras situated at the intersection where your accident happened, your attorney could secure copies of the captured footage from the time around when your accident happened, and this footage may show the violation clearly.

Ultimately, every driver must understand and follow the right-of-way laws, and if they fail to do so, they can easily face liability for a resulting accident. The team of Virginia car accident lawyers at Whitlock Law, LLC, has years of professional experience handling a wide range of complex car accident cases, and if you are not sure how to prove liability for your recent accident, we can help. The evidence you need may not be available to secure for long, so it’s important to reach out as soon as you can.

Right-Of-Way Law FAQs

Q: How Is Right-of-Way Determined at a Four-Way Stop?

A: Right-of-way at a four-way stop is determined based on arrival at the intersection. Every driver from every direction must stop at the intersection, and the first driver to reach the intersection and stop has the right-of-way to continue first, followed by the second driver to stop at the intersection, and so on. This first come, first served rule applies whether the drivers indicate they are continuing straight or turning.

Q: What Is the Same Time Rule When Determining Right-of-Way?

A: The same time rule applies when two drivers arrive at an intersection from different roads at the same time. Generally, the driver to the right has the right-of-way, and the driver to the left must yield to them. If they are coming from opposite directions, right turns have the right-of-way before left turns, and if one driver is continuing forward and the other driver is turning left, the driver continuing forward has the right-of-way before the turning driver.

Q: What Is Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way?

A: Failure to yield the right-of-way in Virginia is a form of reckless driving, and it is possible for a driver who fails to yield the right-of-way to face several penalties if a police officer notices their violation. The penalties for reckless driving can potentially result in demerit points on your driver’s license, a fine, driver’s license suspension, or even jail time. These penalties increase significantly if reckless driving causes an accident.

Q: What Is the Boulevard Rule?

A: In the state, the Boulevard rule applies when a driver attempts to enter a highway or when they are entering a main road from an alleyway, private drive, or other side street. The driver entering the highway or main road must yield to traffic on that road before moving from their intersection. When merging onto a highway, a driver must stop or yield to traffic before merging. Failure to merge correctly can easily cause a serious accident.

Q: Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

A: You should hire a lawyer after a car accident in Virginia if you want to have the greatest chance of success with the recovery efforts you attempt. Whether you intend to file an auto insurance claim, a personal injury suit, or pursue multiple recovery options, you need an attorney to guide you through your proceedings if you want to have the greatest chance of success and the greatest chance of maximizing the compensation you obtain for your damages.

Whitlock Law, LLC, can provide the legal support you need in the aftermath of your recent accident. If another driver caused your accident by violating right-of-way laws, our team can help you gather the evidence needed to hold them accountable for your damages and determine the optimal path to maximizing your recovery. Contact us today and schedule a free consultation with our team to learn how we can assist you.