Losing control of a vehicle and veering off the road can be a scary experience. Should the vehicle strike a tree in the process, the safety and health of everyone inside could be placed at risk in the process, as even single-car motor vehicle accidents can have devastating results. A 25-year-old man has died and a passenger was airlifted to the hospital following a recent single-car crash in West Virginia.
Law enforcement agents received reports of the incident at around 7 p.m. on a recent Thursday. According to police, the incident took place when the driver of a southbound vehicle suddenly lost control and veered off the road. The vehicle proceeded to strike a nearby tree soon thereafter, causing the driver and two passengers to become trapped within.
Emergency responders were able to free the passengers, one of whom was airlifted to a hospital for treatment. The other passenger also suffered injuries and was taken to a medical facility, while the driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have initiated an investigation into the incident and have stated that excessive speeding, and the possible presence of drugs and alcohol, may have been contributing factors.
Motor vehicle accidents involving impairment can have catastrophic results, and passengers who ride with a driver who exhibits such negligence may have little control over what happens next. Those who suffer serious harm in such an incident may wish to exercise their right to pursue accountability in civil court, and they could choose to retain the services of an attorney for guidance in the process. An attorney in West Virginia can assist a client in pursuing the full amount of restitution entitled through a personal injury claim against the party deemed at fault.