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Morgantown Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents can cause injuries and expenses, whether you’ve been involved in a fender bender or a major collision. To recover compensation, you must hold the other driver accountable for their actions and your losses. A car accident lawyer in Morgantown, WV can help you with your claim and talk to the insurance company so you do not have to do it yourself. From beginning to end, they can advocate for you.
The team at Warner Law Offices, PLLC has more than two decades of experience that we can use to fight for you and get results. Your Morgantown car wreck attorney prioritizes your interests and gets results so you can move forward with your life as swiftly as possible. For a free consultation, contact our law firm today.
High-Risk Roadways and Car Wrecks in Morgantown, West Virginia
High-risk roadways increase the chance of a serious car accident in Morgantown and the surrounding county. For example, highways I-68, I-79, and Route 705 are prone to congestion, large trucks, construction, aggressive driving, and more. Additionally, heavy commuter traffic near West Virginia University campuses can also contribute to accidents that can cause severe injuries.
The West Virginia Department of Transportation has sought to address some of these issues in the most recent Triennial Highway Safety Plan. The document highlighted that while serious injuries have declined over the past several years, the number of traffic fatalities has held steady overall. Alcohol impairment, lack of seatbelt use, and speeding were contributing factors, but have been on a steady decline.
Whether you have been injured or have lost a loved one in a car accident, it’s important to hire a car wreck lawyer in Monongalia County to help hold at-fault parties responsible for their actions.
Common Categories of Car Accident Claims We Handle
There are many types of vehicle collisions, and each one can have different implications on how severe the outcome is, what injuries are sustained, and what approach should be taken to navigate their nuances. At Warner Law Offices, PLLC, our Morgantown car wreck lawyers are equipped to help you with accident claims such as:
- High-impact rear-end collisions
- Distracted driving accidents along congested local corridors
- Head-on collisions
- Collisions involving intersections
- Rollover accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Uninsured/underinsured car accidents
- Fatal car accidents
We can help you investigate the accident and gather evidence so that you can build a strong case against the at-fault driver to hold them accountable. We also tailor our approach to your needs and the type of accident you have been involved in.
"If you've been injured in a car wreck, you're hurt, you're scared and you're confused. You thought maybe you could handle this without an attorney but now you've got mounting medical bills, lost time from work and you're dealing with an insurance company that probably won't return your phone calls, let us take over."
Critical Steps to Take Immediately Following a Morgantown Auto Accident
It is critical to know what drivers should do after a vehicle accident, as it can protect your safety and the ability to file a claim and recover compensation. Depending on the severity of your injuries, take the following steps to the best of your ability:
- Contact the Morgantown Police Department or the West Virginia State Police to file a police report; obtain a copy of the completed report
- Seek immediate medical care by paramedics and emergency physicians for serious injuries, or promptly schedule a medical exam with a doctor for minor injuries
- Document the scene of the accident by taking photos and videos; get witness information for statements
- Exchange information with the other driver; do not apologize or admit fault
- Notify your insurance company about the crash per your policy’s time limit
- Hire a car accident lawyer in Morgantown, WV, to represent you and help you navigate your claim
- Prepare your claim and submit it to the at-fault driver’s insurance company
These steps can help ensure that you get a fair outcome in your case. Car accidents and losses can feel overwhelming, but knowing what steps to take and how a lawyer can help you can relieve the stress you feel immediately after a crash.
Fighting Back Against Unfair Insurance Settlement Tactics
When you have been in an accident and are pursuing West Virginia car accident compensation, you expect to receive a settlement that reflects the value of your losses. However, many insurance companies would rather protect their bottom line, which means that they often try to reduce the value of your settlement. This is why it is important to hire a lawyer who is familiar with common insurance company tricks after a car accident and can help you fight back.
Some tactics insurance companies use include trying to get you to make a statement (which they can use against you), discouraging you from hiring a lawyer, acting well-meaning, causing intentional delays, blaming you for the crash, or using technicalities to deny your claim. They also generally offer low initial settlements in the hopes that victims will accept the first offer. Since you cannot pursue further damages after accepting a settlement, you could lose considerable compensation without the aid of a lawyer.
Maximizing Your Financial Recovery: Calculated Auto Damages
Auto accident costs add up quickly and can include a variety of losses. You can generally recover West Virginia car accident compensation for your financial expenses (economic damages) and your suffering (non-economic damages). Common losses that can be included in your settlement include:
- Emergency medical care and transportation
- Medical tests, treatments, and surgeries
- Rehabilitative services such as chiropractic care and physical therapy
- Lost wages when you cannot work while you heal from injuries
- Lost earning capacity if you are unable to return to work
- Property damage repair and replacement costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost quality of life
- Loss of consortium
How to Determine the True Value of Your Car Wreck Claim
To determine which losses you are eligible to recover and how much your case may be worth, your Morgantown auto accident attorney can talk to medical professionals, mechanics, reconstructionists, and other applicable experts to determine the current and future value of your costs so they have a comprehensive picture of your financial needs. This helps when they calculate how much compensation you may need.
Tangible and Intangible Losses Are Both Important
Generally, monetary losses are calculated by adding up your various expenses, including ongoing costs. These tangible losses are fairly straightforward to determine. Your intangible losses, such as pain and suffering, are more complicated. West Virginia may use the multiplier method to rate the severity of your losses between 1.5 and 5, and multiply it by your economic damages to determine the value. They may also use a per diem method to assign a daily value to your losses until you reach maximum recovery.
No-Upfront-Cost Representation: The Contingency Fee Model
Car accident losses are costly and can create significant financial strain. Many victims assume they cannot afford an attorney given their financial circumstances.
However, Warner Law Offices, PLLC operates on a contingency fee model. This means that you can hire a Morgantown auto accident attorney without paying any retainer or out-of-pocket fees or other expenses up front. We only get paid if we win your case and take our fees from an awarded settlement or verdict.
Clients Pay Nothing Unless and Until We Win
With no upfront cost representation, you can get the legal support and advocacy you need without the uncertainty about how to pay for a lawyer. It also gives you the confidence and peace of mind that you and your lawyer are pursuing a common goal and that they are looking out for your best interests. Be sure to discuss this fee model during your free consultation to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accident Lawsuits
Under West Virginia Code §55-7-13a, you may be able to recover West Virginia car accident compensation if your percentage of fault is 1-49%. The value of your damages is reduced by your specific level of fault. For fault percentages of 50% and above, no compensation can be recovered. Consult a Morgantown auto accident attorney to help you maximize your recovery.
If you are struck by an uninsured or underinsured driver, you should consult a car wreck lawyer in Monongalia County right away. They can walk you through what alternative options you have for recovering your losses, which generally include filing claims with your own auto or health insurance.
Yes, you should see a doctor even if you feel fine after a car accident. Many injuries do not show up right away because adrenaline can block pain receptors, or you may have suffered deep tissue injuries that take a while to show outwardly. Receive a medical exam within 72 hours to ensure your safety and protect your ability to file a claim.
Contact Our Morgantown Car Accident Attorneys Near You
Warner Law Offices, PLLC comes alongside you when you are trying to navigate the aftermath of a car accident and recover your losses. Your car wreck lawyer in Monongalia County advocates for you so your case is taken seriously and you can avoid unfair treatment. To schedule a free consultation and get started with your case, contact our law firm today.
Consultation
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.