When is Passing a Car on the Right Legal?
We see it happen all the time. Someone passes us in the right lane on the interstate or other highway, and we wonder if passing on the right is legal in Virginia. Or, we’ve been behind slower drivers who are traveling in the left lane and question whether we can just pass on the right. When is it legal to pass on right side of another vehicle? Read on to find out the laws in Virginia and tips for staying safe.
Virginia Law: Passing on the Right
In Virginia, a driver is permitted to pass another vehicle on the right under the following circumstances:
- when overtaking vehicles making or about to make a left turn
- if traveling on a road that is wide enough for two or more lines of moving vehicles in both directions
- on a one way street that is wide enough for two or more lines of moving vehicles
Regardless of whether the above conditions are met, drivers are not allowed to pass on the right unless they can do so safely. Additionally, Virginia drivers are not permitted to drive onto the shoulder of the road for purposes of passing on the right.
Slow Vehicles: What to Do if You’re Moving in Same Direction
We’ve all driven behind slower drivers traveling in the left lane. Did you know that Virginia law requires slow moving vehicles traveling in the left lane to move to the right when another driver blows its horn or flashes its lights? The law requires slower drivers to move from the passing lane as soon as it’s safe and then not increase speed until the overtaking vehicle has completed the pass.
Watching Out for Parked Vehicles When Passing on the Right
It is very important when passing on the right that drivers be on the lookout for obstacles that may be in the road, such as parked cars, road construction, a bicycle lane, or uneven paved shoulders. While passing on the right may not be illegal, such movement can certainly be very dangerous. As a result, it is very important if you are passing on the right that you ensure the roadway is clear when overtaking vehicle and attempting to passing on the right.
Personal Injury Attorneys: Passing on the Right and Aggressive Driving
If you’ve been injured in an accident where someone has attempted to pass on the right, you will likely be contacted by the at fault party’s insurance representative very quickly. Sometimes, insurance companies will try to call injured parties from passing on the right accidents as soon as the day after a collision. Before you talk to any insurance company, you should get the advice of an experienced car accident lawyer. Most lawyers will give you a free consultation to talk about what you might be entitled to receive. At the Ritchie Law Firm, you can talk to an experienced car accident lawyer for free . . . NO STRINGS ATTACHED!!
Whether the insurance company contacts you quickly or not, the faster you seek legal advice from a personal injury lawyer, the better. When someone attempts to pass on the right and causes a crash, prompt investigation is critical to successfully recovering money damages in your case. Because such accidents are devastating, making sure that things like skid mark measurements and impact marks are preserved, in addition to taking photos of any traffic control devices, traffic signs, etc. are often essential to a good settlement.
Experienced Car Accident Lawyers
The five lawyers at the Ritchie Law Firm have more 145 years of combined experienced handling aggressive driving and other car accident cases. See our car accident Case Results here. Throughout the nearly half century history of the Ritchie Law Firm, our lawyers have handled thousands of devastating crash cases involving serious and complex injuries such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, internal organ damage, multiple bone fractures, and even death.
You should not have to bear the financial burden of negligence caused by someone who negligently tries to pass on the right. Car accidents are devastating. At the Ritchie Law Firm, we can help you hold the other driver accountable and help you get the compensation you need to pay your bills and recover.
Talk with a Virginia and West Virginia Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered significant injuries as a result of a car accident in Virginia or West Virginia, Ritchie Law Firm is here to help. The experienced personal injury attorneys at the Ritchie Law Firm have helped thousands of injured victims and their families recover the compensation they deserve after an accident.
DON’T GET HURT TWICE!! Your legal team at the Ritchie Law Firm will make them pay for their recklessness. We have helped thousands of injured people get the money they deserve after they’ve been injured. Call today to get your free case evaluation and free consultation — 800-277-6124.
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Ritchie Law Firm is a personal injury law firm devoted to helping individuals who have suffered serious and catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence. Ritchie Law Firm serves all of Virginia, while helping clients in cities and surrounding areas of Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Winchester also serves clients in West Virginia, including Martinsburg, WV. We are a team of East End car accident attorney and Virginia Beach rear end accident attorney ready to assist you.
