While people in Wheeling understand that the potential of being involved in a car accident is ever-present, most trust that those with whom they share the road place as much importance on driving safely and responsibly as they do. Such an expectation is especially true of those who drive for a living. Yet sadly that standard is not always met. When blatant negligence is apparent in an auto accident case, accident victims and their families may feel compelled to take legal action.
It may be difficult to argue that negligence did not play a factor in an accident where a driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol. Surprisingly, such has proven to be the case in a recent multi-car collision that occurred on Interstate 64/77 in Charleston. Three vehicles and a school bus transporting special needs children were involved in the accident. One of the vehicles caught fire after being collided with, prompting witnesses to the accident to come to the aid of its driver, who was thankfully pulled from the car before it was completely engulfed in flames. Despite the damage caused in the collision, no one involved was reported to have sustained serious injuries.
The driver of the school bus was found to have been driving while intoxicated at the time of the accident; she has since been arrested. Many involved accidents occurring under similar circumstances may think that they need to wait for the criminal proceedings facing those responsible for their collisions to play out before they can take action, yet that is not the case. A civil action can indeed be pursued concurrently with a criminal case. Those contemplating taking such action in the wake of a car accident may first want to consult with an experienced attorney.