When someone has been in a car crash, there are a number of concerns that automatically come to mind. Recovering from physical injuries and the consequences of taking time off work are common. But what about the lesser-known implications of auto collisions? It’s important to think about all the possible consequences so you can be prepped if or when they pop up. Let’s take a look at the implications that don’t automatically come to mind.

The Possibility of Delayed Medical Symptoms and Injuries

While many physical injuries are visible immediately following a wreck, there are some that could take days, weeks, or even months to appear. The most comm types of pain that are delayed after a car accident include headaches, neck pain, back pain, numbness or tingling, and abdominal pain. It’s important to seek medical attention right after a crash so you can be evaluated for injuries you might not see.

We learn from an early age that driving is a privilege. In order to earn and keep that privilege, we’re supposed to understand how to safely operate a vehicle, as well as abide by the road laws established by our state and federal governments.

Unfortunately, some drivers neglect their safety responsibility and choose to break those necessary laws. When they do, they’re choosing to put other people’s lives at risk. If you find yourself to be the victim in an accident, it’s important to know you’re not alone. Navigating the complexities of the law after a crash can be difficult. That’s where our Charleston car accident injury attorneys come in.

In order to be a responsible driver, it’s important to be aware of the risks associated with driving. Many of those risks are preventable. Let’s take a look at the top causes of car accidents in West Virginia.

Personal injury claims are supposed to help those who were wrongfully injured and suffered financial losses because of someone else’s negligence. However, the process can be difficult and take a long time.

For example, let’s say a distracted driver hit you in an auto accident. You had to go to the hospital, will need treatment, and can’t return to work until you’ve recovered. Before your settlement, you may be dealing with hefty medical bills depending on the extent of your injuries. In these moments, you need someone by your side. A dependable West Virginia car accident lawyer from DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC will stand up for your rights.

As an employee, you have legal rights that outlaw discrimination in the workplace and prohibit unfavorable or unfair treatment based on a variety of established categories. Even with those rights in place, there were 84,254 individual charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in 2017.

If you believe you have been discriminated against, our West Virginia employment lawyers will fight for you. We understand how difficult it can be to pursue justice against your employer. We will do whatever it takes to get you the justice you deserve while making the process as easy for you as possible.

Houses are adorned with bright, colorful lights, the air bites your nose when you venture outside, and you probably have an ongoing list of gift ideas for family and friends. The holiday season is here and we couldn’t be more excited.

The holidays are a time of celebration and cheer where we spend quality time with loved ones. In this special part of the year, we observe many traditions, including exchanging gifts and eating delicious food. But our local Charleston community will also have fun holiday activities you can participate in. Check out events and shows you can see, great local food, where you can find holiday gifts, and get your perfect Christmas tree. Enjoy our Charleston holiday guide below, and if there’s anything you’d like us to add, get in touch!

Preparing to have a child is often one of the scariest and most exciting times in anyone’s life. When it comes time to bring the baby into the world, many births run smoothly for the mother and infant. But what happens when things go wrong? Who should be held accountable for birth injuries? Our Charleston birth injury lawyers are prepared to find you the much needed answers to those questions.

Why Birth Injuries Occur

Birth injuries can lead to serious, lifelong consequences. According to the National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report, six to eight of every 1,000 infants are born with a birth injury. Women between the ages of 25 and 34 are more likely to sustain a birth injury when they have a birthing tool-assisted delivery.

Recreational vehicles offer a lot for people who want to travel on the road. People can travel to various campgrounds or drive until they get to their desired location or see something interesting. But accidents do occur with these vehicles. Unfortunately, RV accident can cause serious injuries and damages because of the RV’s size and weight. If you were injured in an accident involving an RV, a West Virginia personal injury lawyer from DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC can help you.

When a serious accident occurs, you may have piling medical bills while you’re trying to recover. Missing work usually adds to this stressful situation. But you don’t have to go through this alone. DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC is ready to help you stand up to negligent drivers and hold them accountable for their actions. We will fight to get you compensation that covers pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.

Responsible drivers understand that drinking and driver should never mix; however, there are individuals out there that choose to disregard this knowledge. When they drive drunk, they’re putting their lives and the lives of others at risk. If you’ve been injured in a crash involving an intoxicated driver, our Charleston drunk driving accident lawyers are prepared to provide you with the legal support and guidance you need to aid in your recovery.

While the legal limit of blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 percent, alcohol begins to affect the brain at 0.02 percent. At this point, visual functions and judgment abilities begin to decline. As a person drinks more, their coordination worsens and their reaction times slow. When a person hits the legal limit and decides to get behind the wheel, their ability to concentrate declines, they experience short-term memory loss, they are unable to control their speeds, and their self-control is impaired.

Addiction is a scary and serious thing that can ruin lives or end them. But most people got opioids from legal prescriptions. Without the proper education, they may have taken these drugs and not known about the high risk for developing a dependency. That’s progressed to people having an addiction to these drugs and needing to find more. If you’ve been harmed by opioid abuse, you may have grounds for a claim.

What Factors Led to the Crisis?

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), about 80 percent of heroin users misused prescription opioids before using heroin. Opioid drug overdoses kill about 116 people a day. With frightening numbers like these, one has to wonder how the problem got to this point.

There are many factors that have contributed to the country’s current opioid epidemic. Doctors prescribed opioid drugs more feely in the past to treat pain. But they didn’t have all the information about the risk of prescribing these highly addictive drugs. Patients developed addictions and had to seek to alternatives to feed their addiction when the prescription ran out.

Losing a loved one is never easy; however, the loss can be even harder to cope with if the death was unexpected and preventable. Car accidents injure thousands and take the lives of hundreds in West Virginia each year. In order to deal with the grief and pain associated with the wrongful death, you may benefit from understanding why the accident occurred.

In 2016, there were 250 fatal crashes in West Virginia. As a result, 269 individuals lost their lives. Many of these accidents could have been prevented. As a responsible citizen and driver, it’s important to recognize why these fatal accidents happen, so you can take steps to aid in the prevention of these occurrences.