Intoxicated Driving Accidents Increase in Virginia

Intoxicated Driving Accidents Increase in Virginia

By:
Stephen M. Smith
|
Last Updated:
November 26, 2019
Best Law Firm logo

Intoxicated driving remains a major problem in Virginia. A recent report notes the number of deaths caused by drunk drivers in the Commonwealth rose by 12.1% in 2018.

The increase in intoxicated driving wrecks is noted in the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ Crash Facts report. Drunk driving claimed 278 lives in the state. The report noted 819 people died in auto accidents in 2018. A third of all roads deaths in Virginia in 2019 was caused by drunk drivers. Intoxicated drivers left 4,475 people injured in Virginia, a 1% rise over 2017.

In Hampton, drunk drivers caused 182 crashes and claimed three lives in 2018. The city saw 160 injuries linked to drunk driving wrecks.

Intoxicated drivers caused 204 accidents in Newport News with 11 deaths and 164 injuries in 2018.

Many of those who lost their lives were drunk drivers. The report noted the deaths of 177 drinking drivers last year in Virginia, a 15.7% increase over 2017.

Virginia saw 19,790 DUI convictions, a 5.8% rise on 2017. Men are more likely to drive drunk than women. The report revealed 66.5% of DUI convictions were male and 22.6% were female.

Crashes caused by alcohol are more likely to be serious. The 7,181 alcohol-related crashes comprised just 5.4% of all traffic crashes. However, a third of all fatal crashes were caused by intoxicated drivers.

Rising numbers of highway deaths in Virginia prompted the setting up of an executive leadership team on highway safety by Virginia Governor Ralph Northam in late 2018. The team is made up of representatives from the Virginia Departments of Motor Vehicles, Health, Transportation, Education, and State Police. It is headed up by the Deputy Secretaries of Transportation and Public Safety and Homeland Security.

The rise in highway deaths on the roads of Virginia in 2017 sparked the new initiative. In 2017, there were 843 fatalities on the highways of the Commonwealth. The figure represented a 20.4 percent increase in fatalities from 700 deaths in 2014.

Although the number of fatalities fell to 819 in 2018, the first decrease since 2014, the rise in deaths caused by intoxicated drivers remains a matter of serious concern.

Why Intoxicated Drivers in Virginia Pay the Penalty

You can be charged with driving under the influence in Virginia if your blood/alcohol content is at least 0.08. The average BAC for tested drivers in Virginia in 2018 was 0.147.

DUI is a class 1 misdemeanor charge in Virginia. Intoxicated drivers face a fine of up to $2,500 and a jail sentence of up to 12 months on conviction for a first offense. Intoxicated drivers also end up with a permanent record that can impact their job prospects.

The DMV  statistics show many drunk drivers who are involved in accidents suffer serious injuries and fail to survive. You may also kill or maim others and face the possibility of a lawsuit. Drunk drivers often cause serious head and brain injuries to other drivers. Virginia allows punitive damages in extreme cases to punish a drunk driver.

Intoxicated drivers cause misery every year and destroy families and lives. If you or a family member was hurt by a drunk driver, please call our experienced Hampton based personal injury lawyers at (757) 244-7000.

Lawyers at Smith Law Center

About Smith Law Center

Our lawyers are more than lawyers. They are people who understand your injuries and the law that surrounds your options when it comes to holding others accountable.
ABOUT US

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

Tony Laizure, Principal Laizure Law
Google logo

I have had the immense pleasure to work with Stephen M. Smith many times over the years, and every case ends in success for the client. He is so passionate about his clients and cares deeply about them.

Anonymous (Former Client)
Google logo

They treat you with respect & compassion every step of the way…

Jonathan Wren
Google logo

Great firm. Stephen, David, and their team did a wonderful job representing a brain-injured client I referred to them for hard-fought case against a trucking company in federal court.

Shannon Laymon-Pecoraro
Google logo

I have the pleasure of working with the team at the Smith Law Center regularly. They are well rounded, and their commitment to their clients is top notch.

Donna
Google logo

… your firm is personally responsible for taking what was a horrible tragedy and transforming it into a legacy…

Joe
Google logo

… [Mr. Smith's] style of representation was impeccable, classy, and he cleverly executed every facet of the case …

Nancy
Google logo

… I really can’t thank you enough for securing the damages to which I was entitled …

Marybeth
Google logo

… I am beyond grateful for their caring manner, their legal prowess, and their attention to detail …

Tom
Google logo

Although this card is rather small, the “Thank You” isn’t small at all … You will never know what this money has meant to us. It does not remove the affects of the stroke, but makes things somewhat better …

Tammy & John
Google logo

… For such a large firm, we received very personal care. We will always recommend you highly! …

Angelicia S
Google logo

I had the pleasure of working with Attorney Gill. He was very professional and made the process worth the while. This law firm cares about their clients and it shows. Thank you all for going over and beyond.

Erin L
Google logo

I was very happy with the Smith Law Center. They are professional, attentive and will truly fight for you. The entire office is very nice and communicates throughout the whole process. Mr. Gill is fantastic as well as the paralegals and the other administration team.

Mike S
Google logo

David Holt did an excellent job dealing with a largely uncooperative insurance adjuster. He explored all avenues of recovery, their fees were fair and, once settled, payment was prompt. Five stars all the way.

Christin S
Google logo

Working with David and Lisa was a wonderful experience. I was overwhelmed by their kindness and efficiency.

Kevin Mottley
Google logo

I have had the pleasure of working alongside Stephen Smith, David Holt, and Stewart Gill for several years now, representing traumatic brain injury survivors in fights against insurance companies. These guys are a pleasure to work with and are true trial lawyers who fight for their clients day in and day out in court.

Andy H
Google logo

The attorneys and staff at Smith Law Center are great to work with. They care not only about a successful recovery, but ensuring their clients know what options are available for protecting the recovery long-term.

Shaminece H.
Google logo

The team and my attorney were so friendly. They were always available to help me or answer my questions, and the process wasn’t long at all. I’m so grateful for the services they gave me and for treating me like family.

Shannon L
Google logo

... I have the pleasure of working with the team at the Smith Law Center regularly ... They are well rounded, and their commitment to their clients is top notch.

Andy H
Google logo

... The attorneys and staff are great to work with ... They care not only about a successful recovery, but ensuring their clients know what options are available for protecting the recovery long-term.

Jonathan B
Google logo

... Mr. Smith helped us get a settlement fast, and things are much better now ...Without Stephen’s help I’d probably be dead and penniless. I am a brain injury survivor. On the 4th of July weekend (in 2004), my life was turned inside out when I was hit on my motorcycle. My brother-in-law was searching for brain injury specialists and happened to find Mr. Smith. And he was a lawyer too! Mr. Smith helped us get a settlement fast, and things are much better now.