Some drivers make the roads in West Virginia unsafe due to their reckless behavior. Traffic laws exist for specific reasons, including public safety. When someone’s actions prove dangerous, a serious collision may occur. Severe injuries and even fatalities are not uncommon when a driver behaves negligently. Victims may then seek compensation for any harm such a driver inflicts.
Examples of reckless driving
Reckless driving can be an umbrella term for behavior that puts others at risk, such as drunk driving. Intoxicated driving increases the chances of a crash, so laws often deliver harsh punishments against those who consume alcohol or controlled substances before taking to the road.
Intoxication might come from other sources, including legal over-the-counter prescription drugs. Taking allergy pills could make someone drowsy or impaired enough to cause an accident, and that driver may face a credible liability claim.
Speeding also remains a common reason for collisions and subsequent fatalities. A driver might deliberately drive past the speed limit out of impatience or drift to higher speeds from distractions. No matter the reason, speeding is dangerous, and the dangers might increase when speeding combines with other reckless driving behaviors on the road. Tailgating, passing vehicles by moving onto the shoulder of the road, splitting lanes, not coming to complete stops at stop signs and texting while driving are all actions that could contribute to accidents.
The legal fallout from reckless driving
Motor vehicle accidents caused by negligence may result in a lawsuit. Injury victims might suffer financial losses, so they seek compensation. Compensation could involve payments for pain and suffering as well.
Filing an insurance claim might provide a way to recover losses after a car, motorcycle or truck crash. Drivers with sufficient liability insurance might have enough financial protection to cover the losses. However, accident victims may need to understand that while the insurance company has a duty to make cover claims after assuming risks, the insurance provider might put its financial interests over the claimants. It might take serious negotiations to receive any claims owed.