A motorcyclist lost his life after being hit head-on by a car travelling in the opposite direction on a two-lane section of U.S. 35 in central West Virginia (WV) on June 8, 2014. The fatal accident occurred on a section of the rural highway south of the town of Southside that is posted with no-passing signs. A passenger in the car involved in the wreck also suffered injuries requiring hospital treatment.
In reporting on this deadly wreck, the local Daily Sentinel newspaper noted that same part of the road saw a fatal head-on collision in April 2014. Following that crash, officials met with residents to discuss ways to make drivers and motorcyclists safer. A long-term plan calls for widening U.S. 35, but dangers are likely to persist for several years, according to the paper.
Staying in one’s own lane often proves difficult on two-lane roads, but signs and pavement markings like double yellow lines that warn against passing must be obeyed. The possibility of running into a nother vehicle coming from the other direction is too high to take a chance of passing where traffic engineers and law enforcement officials have determined doing so is unsafe.
Police plan to file criminal charges against the driver of the car that hit and killed the motorcycle rider. Our firm has represented many motorcyclists who became victims of negligent and reckless drivers. We know that the people who cause injuries and take lives in these types of wrecks can be held accountable in civil proceedings, regardless of the outcome of criminal trails.
Our condolences go out to the friends and family members of the deceased motorcyclist.
EJL