When it comes to car crashes, few are as frightening or as deadly as head-on collisions.

Unlike side-impact or rear-end crashes, these accidents involve the full force of two vehicles moving directly toward one another. That energy transfer often leads to catastrophic injuries, significant property damage, and a higher chance of fatalities. While head-on car crashes are relatively rare compared to other types of accidents, they remain among the most dangerous on the road.

Most people do not think about driving in extreme wind until they’re suddenly in the middle of it. Whether driving during a blustery day or in the early bands of a storm system moving through, strong winds can make even a short drive feel stressful.

If you’ve ever driven through open highway stretches or over bridges during gusty conditions, you know how unpredictable and uncomfortable this experience can be. And if you are not careful, you could even end up in a car crash.

Fortunately, there are steps and precautions drivers should take in extreme winds. Here’s what to keep in mind.

Almost every driver in West Virginia may have faced this situation. You are cruising down a mountain road or weaving through a small West Virginia town when suddenly, you are jolted by a pothole, have to swerve around debris, or slam on the brakes for a downed tree limb.

Road hazards do more than damage vehicles or cause car accidents; they put lives at risk. So, what to do if you see a road hazard in West Virginia?

Your report could help prevent a crash or injury. Here are the steps for reporting a road hazard in West Virginia.

Step 1: Make Sure You Are Safe

Before you even think about reporting the issue, take care of yourself. If you are driving and spot something dangerous, like a washed-out shoulder, don’t slam on the brakes or swerve suddenly. That can be just as dangerous.

If it is safe, pull over and turn on your hazard lights. Take a deep breath and assess the situation. If someone’s hurt or the hazard has caused an accident, it is fine to call 911 right away.

When storms roll in, the roads become more dangerous. Rain, snow, fog, ice, and even high winds can all increase the risk of car accidents. But when the weather is clearly to blame, it raises a tricky legal question: who is responsible?

While bad weather may set the stage for a car accident, the driver’s decisions and the condition of their vehicle still play a crucial role. Liability in these situations often hinges on how each party responded to the conditions surrounding them.

Distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of vehicle collisions in the United States, claiming thousands of lives each year. Many drivers have turned to hands-free devices as a safer alternative to handheld phones.

These devices allow drivers to make calls, send messages, or operate navigation systems without physically holding a phone. Over the years, they have gained popularity as drivers look for a better alternative to operate their smartphones.

But the question remains: is it safe to use a hands-free device while driving? Here is what you need to know about these devices and why car accidents are still a possibility even when they are in use.

What Does West Virginia Law Say?

Everyone knows that texting and driving are bad, and that’s why this activity is banned in almost all states. West Virginia law prohibits texting and operating any handheld device while driving.

However, there is no statewide ban on using hands-free devices while driving. That leads many drivers to believe that hands-free technology is completely safe.

But just because something is legal does not mean it is risk-free. Hands-free does not remove the most dangerous part of distracted driving: the mental distraction.

When an accident happens, you want to know who is at fault. This is a natural reaction. We want to understand what went wrong and who might be responsible.

In many situations, someone’s actions or decisions contribute to what happened. But sometimes, the answer is more complicated. Can no one be at fault in a car accident?

Not every accident has a clear cause tied to negligence or wrongdoing. In some cases, unfortunate crashes still happen. Here is what you need to know when trying to make sense of an unexpected event.

Tunnel vision is a condition where your peripheral vision becomes restricted, making it difficult to see objects outside of the center of your field of vision and leaving you able to focus only on what is directly in front of you.

It can be a temporary ailment brought on by stress or the result of a medical issue, either way, tunnel vision poses significant risks when driving. Understanding how tunnel vision affects your ability to navigate the road and react to hazards is important to prevent accidents and ensure road safety.

Car accidents often result in visible injuries like bruises or broken bones, but many people overlook the possibility of eye-related trauma. The eyes are delicate and can sustain various types of damage during a collision.

Eye injuries not only affect vision but can lead to more serious health issues as well.

Understanding the potential eye problems that can arise after a car accident is essential for seeking timely medical care and ensuring a full recovery.

Do you remember the first time you got behind the driver’s seat of a car? Were you in driver’s education class with an instructor, or were you getting lessons from one of your parents? You probably drove very slowly and were extremely cautious. Ironically, the more time we spend behind the wheel, the more we take the process for granted, which can lead to becoming less cautious.

A survey conducted by insurance companies found that the average driver will file a collision claim once every 17 years. In West Virginia, the U.S. Department of Transportation found that in 2024, 779 motorists were involved in non-fatal crashes. That averages out to around 2 accidents every day.

The most effective way to avoid a car accident is to never drive in a car, but that is not practical. What can work is understanding the common causes of car accidents and being proactive with your driving habits to help avoid them.

Getting your driver’s license is one of the most exciting milestones in life, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility.

West Virginia has a Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program. Instead of jumping right into full driving privileges, the GDL program gives teens a chance to learn the ropes step by step while minimizing risks.

Let’s look at what you need to know about West Virginia’s GDL program and how it works.