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Charleston Dangerous Roadway Accident Attorney
Damaged roads are dangerous roads. Potholes, loose gravel, and leftover construction debris can leave roadways unsafe for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Even when the roads are clear, defective road design, missing guardrails, or improper signage can also cause serious injuries.
At Warner Law Offices, PLLC, we provide skilled legal representation for people injured in all types of motor vehicle accidents, including those caused by dangerous roadways. Our attorneys are ready to hold local governments and municipalities accountable for negligence if they played a role in your crash.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured because of poor road conditions, our law firm is here to help. To request a consultation with an experienced Charleston road accident attorney near you, contact our West Virginia law offices today.
- The Condition of West Virginia’s Roads
- Dangerous Roads May Cause or Contribute to a Crash
- Why You Need Our Lawyers After a Road Condition Accident
- Examples of Dangerous Road Conditions
- Poor Weather Can Make Dangerous Road Conditions Worse
- Additional Dangers to Bicyclists and Pedestrians
- Injuries Caused by Dangerous Roadway Accidents
- Who Is Responsible for Road Safety in Charleston, West Virginia?
- Damages in a Dangerous Roadway Accident
- Request a Free Consultation with Our Charleston Dangerous Road Condition Lawyers
The Condition of West Virginia’s Roads
WBOY reported that nearly one-third of West Virginia’s roads are in poor or mediocre condition. This assessment was made by the National Transportation Research Nonprofit (TRIP).
According to TRIP, the state has made much-needed investments in road, highway, and bridge improvements. However, the overall progress has been hampered by inflation and the rising cost of completing this infrastructure work.
This means that despite repairs, drivers continue to commute and travel over potentially hazardous roads throughout the Mountain State.
A Focus on Road Conditions in Charleston, WV
As the capital and the largest population center in West Virginia, Charleston fairs relatively well compared to other areas when it comes to road conditions. According to TRIP, 54 percent of the roads in Charleston are in good condition and 18 percent are in fair condition. However, TRIP also rated 11 percent of Charleston’s roads as poor and 17 percent as mediocre.
Whether you’re driving on Interstate 64, major routes like highway 60 or highway 119, or any of the streets around the capital area, our law firm encourages you to drive safely and to be attentive of any hazards on the road.
- 20+ Years of Experience
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Dangerous Roads May Cause or Contribute to a Crash
When considering hazardous road conditions, it’s important to remember that they may be the cause of an auto accident or be a contributing factor to the severity of a motor vehicle collision.
For example, say that a distracted driver who was texting behind the wheel slams on the brakes and rear-ends a vehicle that is stopped at an intersection. At the time of the crash, there was gravel on the road that affected the vehicle’s traction as it was coming to a stop. Had the gravel not been on the road, the rear-end collision may not have been as severe.
Our car accident lawyers in Charleston can carefully examine dangerous road conditions like these when we work on your case. We’ll consult local accident investigation specialists and other experts to determine the cause or causes of a crash as well as significant contributing factors.
Why You Need Our Lawyers After a Road Condition Accident
At Warner Law Offices, PLLC, our Charleston, WV personal injury lawyers know the challenges people face after a major road accident. Our law firm’s goal is to help you get back on your feet and seek compensation for the losses related to your car crash.
Boutique Law Firm, Big Results
Our West Virginia trial lawyers provide the best of both worlds: the dedicated service of a small law firm as well as the experience and resources of a national legal practice. It’s one of the many reasons why Bobby Warner and the entire team here have been named Top 100 Trial Lawyers by National Trial Lawyers and Best Attorneys of America by Rue Ratings.
Born and Raised in West Virginia
Our team of attorneys was born and raised here in West Virginia. That means we know where dangerous roads and highways are located in Charleston and throughout Kanawha County. Our lawyers also know local judges, local medical professionals, and regional laws, all of which can help support your auto accident case.
We Accommodate Your Mobility and Schedule
After a major injury accident, you might feel overwhelmed by the physical pain from your injuries and the complexities of the claims process. We can make things easier for you. If you cannot come to us after a serious crash on a dangerous roadway, our lawyers can visit you. We’ll go to your home or the hospital to ensure you get started with your claim as soon as possible.
Attorneys Who Provide Peace of Mind
When you choose Warner Law Offices, PLLC, you choose to work with top-rated accident attorneys who focus on client peace of mind. While you focus on recovering from your injuries, our skilled team of car accident attorneys can handle every aspect of your motor vehicle accident claim from start to finish. We’ll sweat the hard stuff so you can rest easy.
If We Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay
Our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means we will only get paid if we can negotiate a favorable settlement on your behalf or win damages for you in court. If we don’t win, you don’t pay—easy at that. Warner Law Offices, PLLC removes the risk of further financial hardship so you can focus on healing and recovery.
To request a free consultation with experienced Charleston accident lawyers near you, contact our West Virginia law firm today.
Examples of Dangerous Road Conditions
There are numerous examples of dangerous road conditions you may have encountered in the Metro Valley. Below are just a few common types of roadway flaws that make driving more difficult and dangerous.
Potholes and Cracks
Potholes and cracks may form when roads and highways fall into disrepair. These dips and uneven road surfaces can cause damage to vehicles and contribute to serious crashes.
Debris in the Roadway
Debris in the roadway covers everything from roadkill to gravel as well as items dropped from pickups, dump trucks, and construction vehicles. Small road debris can affect tire traction and vehicle control. Large objects in the road could cause drivers to swerve and strike other vehicles.
Missing Guardrails or Medians
Guardrails and medians can prevent head-on crashes as well as drivers getting run off the road. When guardrails and medians are missing, the injuries suffered in a crash could be extreme.
Faded Lane Markings
It can be difficult to see lane markings on the road, especially if they’ve faded over time due to weather and natural wear. When these lane markers are not repainted, drivers run the risk of serious crashes.
Poor Road Design
Sometimes West Virginia roadways were designed without any regard to safety. Some roads may have sudden sharp turns or blind turns that could lead to crashes even if the driver is being safe. In addition, some roads may pool water, leading to all kinds of hazards.
Obscured or Missing Road Signs
Trees and foliage need to be trimmed so they do not block road signs or markers. Similarly, missing road signs need to be replaced as soon as possible. Whether it’s a posted speed limit or warnings of oncoming curves or bends, a lack of road signs means increased danger.
Broken Traffic Signals
Signal malfunctions make intersections extremely dangerous. Motorists who are not paying attention may speed through an intersection because of a broken traffic signal. Other drivers may disregard the right of way, causing serious collisions.
Broken or Missing Streetlights
Streetlights are essential for safety in cities as well as on rural highways. When a streetlight is broken or there is simply no light on a roadway, drivers run a higher risk of collisions caused by poor visibility.
Poor Weather Can Make Dangerous Road Conditions Worse
Keep in mind that rain, snow, fog, and other weather conditions can heighten the dangers of the above road conditions. Wet roads can make braking and turning far more difficult, and might further obscure lane markings that have faded over time.
In terms of poor road design, rain could lead to flooding on highways and surface streets, even those that were not already prone to flooding. This increases the chances of hydroplaning and motorists losing control of their vehicles in an already hazardous situation.
Additional Dangers to Bicyclists and Pedestrians
We’ve predominantly focused on dangerous road conditions in Charleston causing auto collisions and affecting motorists. Yet poorly maintained roadways can also lead to serious accidents involving bicyclists and pedestrians.
Poor Road Conditions and Bike Accidents
When road conditions are bad, bicyclists run countless risks of losing control of their bike. Sometimes bicyclists have to quickly move into traffic to avoid a pothole or major cracks in the road, which increases the chances of getting hit by a car.
Poor Road Conditions and Pedestrian Accidents
Many pedestrian accidents happen at night or in low light conditions. Poor lighting at an intersection or along a street could increase the chances of a pedestrian getting hit by a driver, even when both the motorist and the pedestrian are doing their best to be cautious.
Injuries Caused by Dangerous Roadway Accidents
Potential serious injuries people may suffer because of a dangerous roadway crash include:
- Broken Bones: Severe compound fractures and other kinds of broken bones could require surgery and affect your mobility and daily routine.
- Joint Dislocation: Damage to major joints in the body could require months to heal, and may also necessitate the placement of an artificial joint.
- Loss of Limbs: The loss of a limb during an accident could lead to the use of prosthesis after the crash, affecting many aspects of your life.
- Physical Disfigurement: Major accidents can cause severe scars and changes to your appearance even after reconstructive procedures.
- Spinal Cord Injury (SCI): Damage to your spinal cord can lead to partial paralysis and impaired use of limbs. In severe cases, spinal cord injuries can cause paraplegia or quadriplegia.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Major head trauma can cause a severe concussion or another kind of traumatic brain injury. TBIs can affect memory, mood, coordination, and other aspects of daily life.
- Vision or Hearing Loss: Some serious auto accidents could render survivors blind or deaf, requiring major changes to daily life and possibly a person’s career.
Who Is Responsible for Road Safety in Charleston, West Virginia?
In any motor vehicle accident, our attorneys will carefully examine the circumstances and consider all potential sources of liability. If there is evidence that the injuries were caused or aggravated by improper care of roadways, we will help you pursue legal claims against the city of Charleston, Kanawha County, or any other local authorities responsible for maintaining the safety of our streets and highways.
You May Run Into Challenges Holding the State and Local Government Accountable
It is important to note that, in some cases, you may not be able to file a lawsuit against the state or local government for dangerous road conditions. Many municipal governments throughout West Virginia enact specific legislation to shield them from civil claims for negligence.
However, if your accident claim is viable, the attorneys at Warner Law Offices, PLLC will work tirelessly to pursue your claim and protect your interests.
Damages in a Dangerous Roadway Accident
The value of your auto collision case will depend on the types of damages you have suffered because of dangerous or poor road conditions. In West Virginia, compensatory damages fall into two categories: economic damages and noneconomic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the financial losses directly related to the poor road condition accident. Examples include compensation for:
- Medical bills and hospitalization
- Long-term medical treatment
- Physical rehabilitation
- Occupational therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost future income
- Property damage
Noneconomic Damages
Noneconomic damages address the unexpected life changes and trauma that you experienced because you were in a dangerous road condition crash. Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are extremely rare in dangerous roadway cases. These types of damages are intended to punish the negligent party for their actions if they acted with malice or a conscious disregard for human life. Though rare, our attorneys will consider the potential for seeking punitive damages if the circumstances of the crash warrant it.
Compensation After a Fatal Accident
If you lost a loved one in a fatal crash, our lawyers can help you seek compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. Damages in fatal accident claims will seek compensation for funeral expenses, the loss of the deceased loved one’s income, grief counseling, and the pain of losing a member of your household.
Request a Free Consultation with Our Charleston Dangerous Road Condition Lawyers
Whether you were seriously hurt because of debris in the road or lost a loved one because of severe disrepair on a rural highway, our lawyers are here to provide support and strong legal representation. We’re a small firm that can get big results. To request a free consultation with experienced Charleston accident lawyers near you, contact our West Virginia law firm today.
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Charleston, WV 25301
Bobby has received many accolades throughout the years from both his peers in the legal community, as well as the media. The National Trial Lawyers association named Bobby a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and he has been selected as a Member of the Nation’s Top One Percent. Additionally, he has been named a Best Attorneys of America by Rue Ratings, which also named Warner Law Offices to its Best Law Firms of America.
We represent clients across West Virginia and surrounding areas, providing compassionate client service and relentless advocacy in and out of the courtroom.
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