West Virginia Auto Accident Attorneys
According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 305 fatal traffic crashes killing 332 people in West Virginia, in 2013. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, an experienced West Virginia traffic accident lawyer can protect your legal rights and help you recover full compensation for your injuries, even when the insurance company is trying not to pay. Please do not wait until it is too late to take action.
Driver Negligence
The majority of West Virginia traffic accidents are caused by driver negligence. Negligence occurs when a driver fails to use the basic care that any other driver would use in the same situation to avoid causing an accident. Negligent drivers can be held liable for the accidents and injuries they cause. Example of negligence that can lead to an accident include:
- Excessive speed, either over the limit or too fast for the conditions
- Drunk driving
- Intoxication with prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), or recreational drugs
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Distracted driving, including texting and other device use
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Following too closely
- Failure to yield
- Failure to signal
- Unsafe passing
- Unsafe lane changes
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Racing
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents present unique challenges. As a motorcycle accident victim you may face prejudice at every step and from anyone and everyone involved. Witnesses are often biased, as are law enforcement officers who arrive at the scene. In many cases there are no witnesses and victims may have no memory of the accident or the events leading up to it, due to head injuries.
The IIHS says that 44% of fatal motorcycle collisions with other vehicles, in 2013, occurred when another vehicle turned into the path of a motorcycle or into the motorcycle itself. Negligent actions on other part of other drivers that can cause a motorcycle accident include:
- Making a left-hand turn into the path of a motorcycle
- Improper lane change into a motorcycle
- Improper lane change or turn that cause the motorcyclist to make evasive maneuvers and crash, but not colliding with the other vehicle
- Following too closely
If you have been injured in a West Virginia traffic accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, please browse our directory of motor vehicle accident lawyers to speak to one of the experienced West Virginia auto accident lawyers profiled on this website.