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Morgantown Car Accident Attorney

Personal Injury Representation After a Car Accident in Clarksburg

There were hundreds of car accidents in West Virginia last year—and 280 of those crashes were fatal for one or more people. Vehicle accidents can be serious and have far-reaching consequences for everybody involved, including the driver at fault, passengers, and pedestrians.

Whether your personal injury lawsuit involves a simple rear-end collision or a complex situation with a large commercial vehicle (such as 18-wheelers or tractor-trailers), we have extensive experience with these lawsuits. In general, these types of personal injury cases involve determining liability and awarding damages.

When you have been injured in a car accident in Morgantownor the surrounding areas, call (304) 244-4433 or contact us online to speak with experienced car accident lawyers.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents can be caused by a number of factors. Some have signs you can watch out for to help you avoid them, while others are out of your control and happen unexpected. Regardless, knowing what some of the common causes of car accidents are can keep you more aware of your surroundings while you're out on the road:

  • Distracted driving (texting, eating, etc.)
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Reckless driving (speeding)
  • Vehicle defects
  • Road hazards
  • Inclement weather
  • Inexperience behind the wheel

What to do After a Car Accident in West Virginia

Car accidents are stressful. If you have been in a car accident, you should do the following:

  • Check yourself, any passengers, and others involved for injuries
  • Get the other drivers’ information, including their name, contact information, and their insurance information
  • Reach out to the police, fill out a police report, and get a copy of the report
  • Take photos and document the scene of the accident, including any injuries and damage to your vehicle
  • Gather any eyewitness statements
  • Call your insurance company to inform them that you’ve been in an accident
  • Reach out to an experienced Morgantown car accident lawyer to discuss your case

Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident That Wasn't My Fault?

While you're not required to hire an attorney after a car accident, it doesn't hurt. Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer will help you get the compensation you deserve and potentially avoid being held responsible for an accident you didn't cause.

How to File a Car Accident Injury Claim

To file for compensation, you have to file a claim with the other driver's insurance company, your insurance company, or both. Oftentimes, the first offer from the insurance company is the lowest amount possible in an attempt to pay as little as possible.

Don't accept this first offer - you are likely entitled to much more. This is where an experienced Morgantown car accident attorney comes in. We can help you win fair and full compensation for all of your injuries.

How Is Liability Determined After a Car Accident?

This is often the most complex part of the case. One or more drivers may be liable. The employer or owner of a commercial vehicle involved may be liable. People not directly involved in the accident who contributed to obstructions in the roadway or to visibility problems could be liable.

A vehicle manufacturer may also be at fault if a defect was part of the cause. You may be considered partially liable for the accident, but if another party was more at fault, they can be held liable for at least part of the damages you incurred.

What Is the Statute of Limitations in West Virginia?

It's important to file your injury claim before the two-year statute of limitations is over. If you miss that deadline by even one day, you lose out on getting compensation for your injuries. Unfortunately, insurance companies are not obligated to help you settle your claim before the statute expires and they're also well-aware of the two-year rule.

They know that if your claim is not settled before the statutory clocks runs out, then they won't have to pay anything. With the help of a Morgantown car accident lawyer from our firm, we can keep the negotiations going until a settlement is agreed upon, before the statute of limitations prevents you from receiving any compensation.

How Much Can You Get From a Personal Injury Settlement?

When liability has been determined, it's up to a jury or a judge (depending upon the type of trial) to award monetary damages. Keep in mind that if you were injured in an accident where more than one party was at fault, you may be able to receive payments for damages from more than one person or entity.

Personal injury settlements may involve one or several types of damages:

  • Medical bills already incurred
  • Future medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning potential
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Emotional harm
  • Damage to property, if applicable
  • And punitive damages, in cases of recklessness

Shaffer Madia Law is Here to Help

Shaffer Madia Law is dedicated to helping those who have been injured, wronged, or harmed. We have experience in a wide variety of personal injury and wrongful death cases and can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Don’t pay for someone else’s negligence on the road. Call Shaffer Madia Law today at (304) 244-4433 for a free consultation with our Morgantown car accident attorneys.

  • 60 Years of Combined Experience
  • Resolved 135+ Lawsuits Involving Serious & Fatal Job Site Injuries
  • Resolved a Variety of Wrongful Death & Serious Injury Cases

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$13,800,000 Recovery Truck Crash Causing Death
Our client’s family member was killed as a result of a trucking company’s wrongful conduct. Our team secured a sizable settlement for the family’s loss.
  • $325,000 Recovery Assault and Battery
  • $1,175,000 Recovery Car Accident I-79

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