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Car Accident Lawyer in Huntington, WV
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, you need the help of a dependable, knowledgeable car accident lawyer in Huntington, WV. At Warner Law Offices, PLLC, our West Virginia personal injury lawyers care about our clients and work to make sure that your rights are not run over by greedy insurance companies and large corporations looking to make a buck. We are a small firm, but we provide big results.
Why You Should Hire Our Huntington Car Accident Lawyers
Founded in 2000, at Warner Law Office, PLLC, we take pride in standing up for everyday West Virginians who have been injured due to someone else’s carelessness. Whether a distracted driver hit you on your way to work or you were injured in a coal truck collision out on Route 52, we are here to make sure you do not have to face the ensuing legal battles alone.
We offer the personal attention of a local firm with the strength and strategy that matches legal firms. When you want results, you can count on our team to give your case the dedication and attention it deserves. We have settled cases and gotten verdict awards up to $13 million for auto accidents, and we will help you with your case, no matter the size. Our staff is knowledgeable about local and state laws, precedent-setting cases, and the common issues others in Huntington, WV have faced.
We are a small, hardworking firm with deep roots in this state, and we treat our clients like neighbors. When you call us, you can expect direct communication from a car accident lawyer, and not expect to get lost in a complicated phone tree or given the runaround by a receptionist. Long after your case is settled, do not be surprised if we check in to see how you are doing. Do not face your car accident alone. Reach out to us to set up your first call, free of any obligation or legal fees. We are ready to help.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in West Virginia?
Under West Virginia code §55-2-12, you only have a short window in which you can pursue compensation for a personal injury. A two-year statute of limitations generally applies to most motor vehicle accident lawsuits. While there are a few exceptions to this time limit, it is best to get started as soon as you can so your car accident attorney can begin gathering evidence, investigating details, and strategically crafting your case.
When you contact our team to get started evaluating your crash, our car accident lawyers will begin a thorough investigation. We will evaluate the scene of the accident, photographing and taking detailed notes on factors like tire marks, debris, road conditions, and applicable street signs. We will attempt to secure any dash cam, traffic camera, and security video footage of the accident from surrounding areas and obtain drivers’ cell phone records. We may also find and interview eyewitnesses to the crash, taking down their detailed remembrance.
Do not delay getting started on your claim and miss out on this time window. Getting started means fresher evidence, better witness testimony, and more time to negotiate with stubborn insurance companies that may attempt to deny your claim. Contact us 24/7 to set up your free case consultation.
Our Attorneys Handle All Types of Car Accidents in the Huntington Area
Our law firm has represented regular West Virginians in the Huntington community and the surrounding areas for more than 25 years. During that time, our car accident lawyers have represented clients injured in accidents such as:
- Rear-end accidents
- Rollovers
- Head-on collisions
- T-bone collisions and sideswipes
- Bicycle-vehicle accidents
- Pedestrian-vehicle accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Car and truck accidents
- Accidents involving uninsured and underinsured drivers
- Drunk driving car accidents
- Distracted driving car accidents
- Accidents caused by auto defects
- Multi-vehicle accidents
- Work zone car accidents
- Fatal car accidents
If you were injured in any type of motor vehicle accident, reach out to our legal team for the support you need. We are available 24/7 to provide experienced counsel and make sure you understand your legal rights.
Dangerous Highways in West Virginia
Scenic routes and mountain drives of West Virginia are beautiful, but those winding roads can be some of the most dangerous in the country. The mountains, weather, road maintenance, and infrastructure impact the number of serious auto accidents we experience annually, as well as driver negligence.
Highways like Interstate 64 and US Route 60 (Midland Trail) see some of the most crashes in the Cabell County Region due to heavy traffic, congestion, and road work. While others, like West Virginia Route 10 and other rural highways, host deceptively dangerous winding curves, limited visibility, and poor lighting.
The Governor’s Highway Safety Program attempts to crack down on negligent drivers, specifically impaired driving, speeding in high-risk areas, distracted driving, and failure to wear seatbelts. The broader statewide Strategic Highway Safety Plan focuses on cutting down traffic fatalities through better road design and education. However, serious car accidents still happen every day in Huntington and the surrounding areas. No matter how safe you try to drive, negligent drivers and other factors can get you injured. When that happens, contact a car accident lawyer from Warner Law Offices for help.
What Is the Value of My Car Accident Case?
The value of your car accident personal injury claim can vary greatly, depending on the severity of the accident, the amount of negligence shown by each driver, and the injuries and losses that were sustained. Our car accident attorney will walk with you through all the factors of your case to assess how much you may be able to recover in your claim or lawsuit. The thoroughness of your legal advisor will have a huge impact on the outcome of your case, as factors like future expenses must be considered.
When you work with a car accident attorney from Warner Law Offices, you can rest assured that we will work to make sure we fully understand the impact your car accident has had on you and your family’s lives now and in the future. We will evaluate the types of damages you have suffered and work to calculate the compensation available to you as a Huntington, WV car accident victim.
Under West Virginia Code §55-7-11a, there are two main types of damages that work to compensate you for your losses. These are economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages in a Car Accident Case
Economic damages cover losses that are easily tied to a financial amount. These losses must be shown to be directly related to the car crash, but can otherwise be relatively easy to calculate, as most of them can be specifically cited with receipts, invoices, repair estimates, and other documentation. Examples of this type of compensation include:
- Medical expenses
- Future care and treatments
- Physical rehabilitation
- Occupational therapy
- Lost pay due to time off while recovering
- Nursing care and long-term assisted care facilities
- Property damage, such as car repairs
- Funeral and burial costs if the accident results in a wrongful death.
Economic damages need to encompass not just current financial costs, but also a plan for the future impact the car accident may have on your life. If you are still in recovery or have long-term complications, our car accident lawyer may work with medical or occupational experts to determine what the future impact on your life could represent financially.
Non-Economic Damages in a Car Accident Case
Non-economic damages are often more difficult to calculate, but still represent significant losses. These attempts to compensate for the life changes and traumatic experiences you have gone through connected to your accident and resulting injuries. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Emotional and mental trauma
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium, or relationships
Depending on the exact details of your accident, you may also be able to collect punitive damages from your car accident lawsuit. To receive these, the jury must find clear evidence that the at-fault driver acted maliciously or with knowingly reckless behavior. This type of damage does not fall under compensatory types, but rather strives to punish the defendant for their outrageously negligent behavior.
What Are West Virginia’s Key Car Accident and Insurance Laws?
In West Virginia, car accident claims are governed by something called at-fault insurance laws. This means that you are able to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company to receive compensation for your injury and losses. Whether this insurance will completely cover your injuries is another question altogether.
The state requires insurance minimums of $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to two or more persons, and $25,000 for property damage. These minimums do not cover much if your injuries are severe, especially if hospital stays, lost wages, or long-term rehabilitation are involved. If your losses are more than the amount the other driver is covered, you may have to pursue a civil lawsuit in an attempt to get your rightful compensation. Contact our team to discuss your options and navigate your next steps to make sure you get the compensation you are owed.
Comparative Negligence and Shared Liability
Under West Virginia’s modified comparative negligence rule, the state recognizes that multiple drivers can share fault for an accident without barring an injury victim from recovering compensation. Under West Virginia Code §55-7-13a, you can file an accident claim if you shared in less than 51% of the fault for the crash. The amount of compensation you receive will then be reduced proportionally to that percentage of fault. Having an experienced car accident lawyer by your side can help you prepare for any finger-pointing the defendant or their insurance company may attempt as a way of trying to reduce the amount of compensation they have to pay.
Types of Injuries Our Car Accident Attorneys Help With
When you get in a car accident, you need to seek immediate medical attention, no matter how you feel. Your first priority should always be your health, and even if you feel fine, do not ignore the possibility of hidden injuries. The adrenaline coursing through your system may mask pain and other symptoms, which will appear later on. Some of the most common injuries our lawyers see in car accident cases include:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries (SCI), including partial or complete paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Severe lacerations and deep cuts
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions
- Neck injuries
- Amputation, either traumatic or medically required due to injuries
- Burn injuries, especially in vehicle fire accidents
- Nerve damage and long-term mobility issues
- Broken ribs and chest injuries, including broken ribs
Be sure to seek a medical evaluation immediately to receive documentation of your injuries, which may help establish the direct correlation between your accident and injuries. If you wait too long to seek care, not only are you jeopardizing your health by risking unidentified injuries, but you risk losing vital evidence that could help you in your car accident claim later. If you are unsure about your next steps, contact a car accident attorney to discuss what you should do.
Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers in Huntington, WV
If you have been injured in a car accident in the Huntington area, do not go up against insurance companies alone. At Warner Law Offices, PLLC, we understand the reality you are facing without getting the settlement you legally deserve. We are here to get results, and our car accident lawyers are ready to represent you and advocate for your maximum compensation to help with your future recovery from your injuries.
We know the ins and outs of state laws and local ordinances and will help you strategically position your case for the best possible outcome. Get started today to get back to your normal life and set up a free case evaluation with our award-winning legal team in Huntington, WV. Give us a call. We will listen, explain your legal options, and help you take the next right step.
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