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Attorney Lonnie Simmons Argues Case Before West Virginia Supreme Court

Published on Apr 11, 2022 at 3:59 pm in In the News.

Once a year, the West Virginia Supreme Court visits the West Virginia University of Law in Morgantown. During its most recent visit on April 5, 2022, law students were given the opportunity to witness real cases as they were presented to the Supreme Court of Appeals. This annual tradition is an invaluable opportunity for law students to gain a fuller and more rounded insight into the importance of their chosen profession.

What’s a Safe Driving Distance on the Highway?

Published on Mar 11, 2022 at 7:27 pm in Car Accidents.

What’s a Safe Driving Distance on the Highway
As a driver, you never expect the motorist in front of you to suddenly slam on the brakes while driving on the highway. But the simple fact is that you never know what the driver in front of you is going to do. Part of good defensive driving is making sure that you put adequate distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you. This leaves sufficient room for you to react if an emergency arises.

So, what’s a safe driving distance on the highway? Read on to learn more about how to measure a safe distance between yourself and the car in front of you. If you have further questions about legal options following a car accident in West Virginia, reach out to the personal injury law firm of DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC.

Tips for Teaching Teenagers Defensive Driving

Published on Feb 18, 2022 at 9:55 am in Car Accidents.

teenage driver with adult in passenger seat

In the United States, motor vehicle collisions are the second leading cause of death for teens 13-19 years of age. Over 2,000 teenagers lose their lives in car accidents every year, and over 250,000 are treated in emergency rooms for crash injuries.

We can change these numbers. At DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC, our experience as car accident lawyers has taught us that most accidents are preventable. By practicing safe, attentive, and defensive driving—and teaching the next generation of drivers to do the same—we can work together to make our roads safer for all of us. 

Safety Tips for Passing a Car Accident Scene

Published on Feb 11, 2022 at 4:55 pm in Car Accidents.

Backed up traffic

Each year in the United States, roughly 300 people lose their lives in stopped vehicle accidents, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Every driver must do their part to ensure those who have already been in a car accident are not further injured or killed by passing traffic.

How Long Does It Take to Get Settlement Money?

Published on Jan 21, 2022 at 1:24 pm in Personal Injury.

Person signing document

You and your lawyer have worked together to reach a settlement after your car accident or other type of personal injury case. But after your personal injury case has been settled, you may be asking: How long does it take to get a settlement payment? The answer to how long it takes to get money after a case is settled will depend on several factors. While rough estimates usually put the amount of time to receive settlement money around four to six weeks after a case it settled, the amount of time leading up to settlement will also vary. There are multiple factors to consider when asking how long it takes to get a settlement check.

Why Are Overloaded Trucks So Dangerous?

Published on Jan 6, 2022 at 4:52 pm in Truck Accidents.

semi truck on road

No motorist wants to get in the way of a tractor-trailer truck. They’re much bigger than anything that most people will ever drive. Consequently, a collision with a tractor-trailer truck can cause a lot of damage. Typically, drivers of tractor-trailer trucks are the safest drivers on the road. A lot of hard work goes into becoming certified to drive a tractor-trailer truck, and the majority of companies make their drivers take drug tests.

How to File a Bad Faith Insurance Claim

Published on Dec 17, 2021 at 9:40 am in Commercial Litigation.

people working on forms and laptops

Insurance policyholders in West Virginia enter into insurance contracts with their insurance companies with the expectation that the companies will pay for property damage and personal injuries under certain circumstances as long as the policyholders keep up with their premiums. Insurance companies have a duty to uphold their contractual obligations when their insureds fulfill their end of the bargain by making timely premium payments. Unfortunately, however, some insurance companies aggressively try to avoid paying claims by exercising bad faith to unfairly deny or delay valid claims. When this occurs, a policyholder has the right to pursue a bad faith insurance claim against the insurance company to recover damages.

Safety Tips for Driving Through Construction Zones

Published on Dec 9, 2021 at 1:11 pm in Car Accidents.

Road closed, no left turn, and wrong way road signs

Between 2011-2016, more than 3,300 people died when driving in construction zones. Most of these crashes occur on roads with speed limits that are higher than 50. It’s common for drivers to maintain a high speed while driving in a construction zone, which can be dangerous and increase the risk of an accident. If you want to lessen your risk of being involved in a construction zone accident, the following offers helpful safety tips and guidelines that should bolster your safety while on the road.

How Does a Truck’s Underride Function During an Accident?

Published on Dec 3, 2021 at 10:28 am in Truck Accidents.

Truck guard next to guide rail

Truck underride accidents occur when a small vehicle crashes into the back or sides of the cargo area of a large truck, typically an 18-wheeler. Underride accidents remain one of the most dangerous types of collisions you can possibly have. According to the latest data from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, an organization that collects data on automobile accidents, 3,436 deaths were linked to underride accidents in 2019.