Virginia Drunk Driving Information and Consequences : PART IV

Wilson & Hajek represent persons, and the families of persons, injured or killed by drunk drivers. We cannot bring back loved ones but we can help drunk driving victims receive full financial compensation.

Parents responsible for actions of underage drinking

Our injury law firm is called upon to represent the families of persons  who were killed or injured by a underage driver who was  drinking and driving. A Bridgewater College professor says fifteen percent (15%) of the alcohol purchased in Virginia ends up in the hands of minors.  Dr. Brian Kelly, the professor, says parents need to be even more watchful.  The alcohol causes your child to retain ten percent (10%) less of what they learned in school because of damage to the brain.  It could be your child as 100,000 12 and 13 year old children binge drink every month and forty percent (40%) of children who begin drinking before the age of 15 will become alcoholics at some point in their lives.

Virginia is passing laws to crack down on underage drinking parties. It is illegal for adults to serve alcohol to youths in their homes. If you do serve youths, you will face a misdemeanor charge and a fine. These type laws are social host liability laws designed to hold adults responsible for their actions.

Other laws in Virginia mandate a minimum six month driver's license suspension for underage drinking convictions. (21 is the legal drinking age). The driver's license of adults who unlawfully provide alcohol to young people will be suspended. There are exceptions such as family gatherings, your own children, and youths accompanied by a parent of legal age.

The target of this law is large parties, where parents are present, and they have given the alcohol or paid for the alcohol.  These laws are a reaction by the legislature to a large number of deaths caused by teenagers driving while drinking.

You can collect for injuries. Call the personal injury law firm of Wilson & Hajek.