Nationwide Insurance has released some driving tips that West Virginia drivers may find useful as they spend time on the road. Driving safely should always be the primary concern of any driver behind the wheel, and practicing safe driving skills all the time can help people avoid car accidents. The main safety tips pointed out by Nationwide are to focus on the task of driving, drive defensively, practice safety and make a plan that allows for safe driving.

Focusing on driving means refraining from engaging in other tasks while driving. Drivers should not use their phones or other electronic devices, and they should slow down as driving faster allows less time to react. Techniques that constitute driving defensively include being aware of what the other drivers on the road are doing and assuming that other drivers are likely to do something unexpected. Drivers should keep at least two seconds between themselves and the car in front of them.

Drivers can practice safety by securing cargo that could shift during travel, keeping necessary items like garage passes and toll cards within reach and wearing their seat belts. Having a safe driving plan means building time into the schedule for delays, planning for traffic and pulling over to eat or drink.

Crashes can happen even when a driver is practicing safe driving habits. People who are injured in car accidents may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses or other damages. An attorney with experience in personal injury law might help by identifying parties who have liability or by gathering evidence in preparation for trial. An attorney may attempt to negotiate settlement with at-fault parties or draft and file a complaint for damages on behalf of the injured party.