Cargo doesn’t just ride along for the trip. The way it’s loaded, secured, and distributed affects stopping distance, steering, rollover risk, and crash severity. When cargo shifts or falls from a tractor-trailer, the consequences can be devastating.

After you’ve been involved in a truck accident, one of the first questions investigators ask is simple but decisive: Who was responsible for loading the cargo correctly?

The answer is rarely one-size-fits-all.

Responsibility can fall on drivers, trucking companies, shippers, loaders, and sometimes multiple parties at once. Understanding what the law says about who’s responsible for those duties helps explain why cargo cases often involve complex liability disputes.

Planning to ride a motorcycle in West Virginia? Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just getting started, you will want to understand the state’s motorcycle laws before hitting the road.

Riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating, but it also comes with responsibilities and risks. When you know these laws, you can stay on the right side of the law and reduce the chances of a motorcycle accident.

Here is what you need to know about the laws regarding licensing, safety equipment, roadway rules, insurance requirements, and motorcycle maintenance.

In the immediate aftermath of a traffic accident, you can experience a rush of adrenaline that can lead to temporary confusion. As things settle down, you try to make sense of what just happened.

That means figuring out who was at fault. Depending on the circumstances, there could be a dispute over things like whether a traffic light was red or green, or how fast a car was traveling. The easiest way to settle that dispute is with the support of an experienced Charleston car accident attorney and all the relevant traffic camera footage.

The investigative team working with DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC, has extensive experience gathering traffic camera footage to support our clients’ claims and ensure they receive the maximum benefits they are entitled to.

Ever heard the phrase “bet the company? You might think it is a dramatic way of saying someone’s taking a risk. But in the legal world, the stakes are higher than any poker game.

Bet the company litigation refers to high-stakes legal battles where the outcome could seriously impact a company’s survival. These are not your run-of-the-mill contract disputes. They are monumental cases where losing could threaten a company’s finances, reputation, or existence.

Winning keeps the lights on, the business operational, and investors confident. However, one unfavorable judgment could have catastrophic consequences. That is why companies invest heavily in experienced legal counsel when the stakes are high.

And when you need one of the top law firms for bet-the-company litigation, DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC has recently earned honors in the 2026 Edition of Best Law Firms.

There is a familiar adage often attributed to Abraham Lincoln that goes, “He who represents himself has a fool for a client.” What Lincoln probably meant was that representing yourself in a legal case carries a large amount of risk. That is certainly true if someone is involved in a criminal matter, but having the right legal counsel on your side is also extremely important for a civil complaint.

That’s why choosing a local Charleston attorney is a critical decision that can make or break your personal injury case.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are life-altering events that can range from mild concussions to severe brain trauma. While initial medical care focuses on stabilizing the patient and preventing immediate complications, the journey doesn’t end there.

Rehabilitation after a TBI is a long-term process. This involves months or even years of therapy, specialized care, and support services.

Along with the physical and emotional challenges, one of the biggest considerations is the financial impact of recovery. Understanding the long-term costs of rehabilitation after a TBI can help families plan for the future and, in some cases, pursue compensation if someone else’s negligence caused the injury.

Every trial features attorneys who represent plaintiffs or defendants. Each side challenges the other in pursuit of a favorable outcome for its clients. Yes, some trials can be contentious, but ultimately, attorneys respect each other and can openly admire the skills of their opponent.

The Best Lawyers organization has long understood that recognition of legal acumen extends beyond the courtroom. That is why they compile an annual ranking of regional attorneys and law firms, voted on by their peers, to be the best in their field.

When it comes to car crashes, few are as frightening or as deadly as head-on collisions.

Unlike side-impact or rear-end crashes, these accidents involve the full force of two vehicles moving directly toward one another. That energy transfer often leads to catastrophic injuries, significant property damage, and a higher chance of fatalities. While head-on car crashes are relatively rare compared to other types of accidents, they remain among the most dangerous on the road.

Whenever a car breaks down on the road, it slows down traffic. Drivers can’t resist the urge to reduce their speed to see what is going on. Unless a driver plans on pulling over to help, there is no need to slow down. A call to a tow service can quickly remove the car from the road and transport it to a mechanic’s garage.

Things get more complicated when a semi-truck breaks down.

When a big rig breaks down, it requires a specialized tow truck to remove it from the highway. There might also be an issue with offloading cargo onto a second truck. Either one of those scenarios could bring traffic to a grinding halt.

How often do large trucks break down on the highway?

It’s recommended that interstate truckers should expect repairs every 50,000 to 100,000 miles. If they skip those repairs, it can lead to a serious truck accident.

The Charleston truck accident attorneys at DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC, have helped many clients who have been victims of a collision with a truck. When mechanical failure is a contributing factor in an accident, the truck driver, the trucking company, and the fleet mechanic could all be held liable.

Most people do not think about driving in extreme wind until they’re suddenly in the middle of it. Whether driving during a blustery day or in the early bands of a storm system moving through, strong winds can make even a short drive feel stressful.

If you’ve ever driven through open highway stretches or over bridges during gusty conditions, you know how unpredictable and uncomfortable this experience can be. And if you are not careful, you could even end up in a car crash.

Fortunately, there are steps and precautions drivers should take in extreme winds. Here’s what to keep in mind.