What Are the Motorcycle Safety Laws in Virginia?

What Are the Virginia Motorcycle Laws?

Like car and truck drivers, motorcycle riders must follow certain laws set by the state to ensure the roads remain safe for everyone. Some important laws to know under the Code of Virginia include:

• Motorcyclists must obtain a motorcycle classification on their driver’s license
• The bike must be registered and have up-to-date insurance
• Lane-splitting, or riding between cars, is strictly prohibited

In addition, there are specific Virginia motorcycle requirements every bike must meet. Riders and their passengers must also wear safety gear, including a helmet and eye protection. A rider must also be aware of the helmet requirements and helmet regulations.

What Are the Virginia Motorcycle Requirements?

Virginia motorcycle requirements are detailed in the above links. All motorbikes must have:

• Headlights visible from 200 feet
• Horns
• Rearview mirror
• Seat for each person riding
• Passenger footrests or pegs
• Taillight visible from 500 feet
• Working brake light
• License plate visible from 50 feet
• Brakes on front and back wheels
• Be equipped with mufflers

Motorcycles are also required to pass an annual safety inspection.

What Are Virginia’s Helmet Requirements?

As stated above, all motorcyclists and their passengers are required to wear specific safety gear. According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, passengers only need to wear a helmet. However, operators of the motorcycle must wear:

Helmets go through rigorous testing for each certification listed above. It can be challenging for motorcyclists to choose the right helmet for them. One helmet may be certified by the DOT but fail certification by the Snell Foundation.

Reviewing the helmet regulations can help protect motorcyclists from purchasing inferior headgear. Whichever helmet you choose, make sure it has one of the above certifications listed.

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How Does the Virginia Motorcycle Helmet Law Affect My Claim?

Unfortunately, many injured motorcycle riders feel they will not be able to file a claim if they were not following all of the Virginia motorcycle requirements or helmet requirements. That is not the case.

If you were not wearing a helmet in your accident, that does not take away your right to recover damages for your injuries.

However, the lack of a helmet may be used against you:

• An insurance adjuster may pressure you into accepting a lower offer than you deserve
• An insurance company may deny your claim, forcing you into a difficult appeals process

It is crucial to have a highly skilled attorney by your side to overcome any hurdles in your claim. At the Smith Law Center, our motorcycle collision lawyers will make sure the focus of your accident remains on your injuries and how they have affected your day-to-day life. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the last reporting year, motorcycle injuries increased by 2%, totaling over 84,000 riders. The most common injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries, many of which result in permanent brain damage
• Concussions and other serious head wounds
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paraplegia and quadriplegia
• Broken and fractured bones
• Internal organ damage
• Loss of limb and amputation

Expressing the pain and suffering of a person is one of the most challenging aspects of any personal injury claim. Pain is not something someone can see, like a medical bill or a damaged motorcycle. Our attorneys are exceptionally skilled at presenting your pain in such a way that an otherwise healthy person can understand. When you have suffered serious trauma from a motorcycle crash due to a negligent motorist, you need our motorcycle accident attorneys to stand up for what is right.

What if I Lost a Loved One in A Motorcycle Accident?

Some causes of motorcycle accidents can be fatal. According to the Insurance Information Institute reports:

• Motorcycle riders are 29 times more likely to be killed than passenger car occupants
• 14% of all traffic fatalities are motorcyclists or their passengers

If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, our compassionate attorneys are here to hold negligent parties accountable. When careless motorists cause deadly motorcycle accidents, families are left devastated.

We understand no amount of compensation can ease your grief. However, wrongful death claims are not filed solely for monetary gain. Wrongful death claims are also filed to hold careless people responsible and to prevent future tragedies. Any financial compensation will represent the extent of wrongdoing.

Call Smith Law Center and speak with our sensitive and dedicated wrongful death attorneys today. We can discuss the details of your case and help you and your family gain the closure you need to move on.