Traffic signals are designed to prevent car accidents

Most people understand that Ohio’s traffic laws are necessary. For instance, traffic signals are designed to keep the traffic flowing and prevent car accidents. When one person fails to obey a traffic signal, not only does it interrupt the flow of traffic, but it also increases the potential for serious and deadly injuries to innocent victims.For instance, the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a motor vehicle accident on a recent Saturday. The investigation revealed that a westbound vehicle failed to stop at a red light. When the car entered the intersection, a southbound vehicle slammed into it.The two drivers involved both required medical attention for their injuries, but the passenger in the 45-year-old westbound driver’s vehicle paid the ultimate price. The 22-year-old man riding in that vehicle was partially thrown from the vehicle during the impact. He died at the scene.Investigators suspect that alcohol played a role in the crash. If this turns out to be a contributing factor, the westbound driver could face criminal charges in connection with the accident and the death of the passenger. This may provide some solace for the deceased victim’s surviving family members.Moreover, criminal charges could provide useful evidence to prove negligence or recklessness in a wrongful death claim filed in civil court by grieving family members. The sudden loss of a loved one cannot help but affect the lives of a family, including financially. Successfully proving that another person’s negligence led to the loss could provide an avenue for restitution to help with those unexpected monetary losses that go along with fatal car accidents.