You become involved in a slow-speed fender-bender while sitting in a traffic jam, tap the bumper of a vehicle as you pull into or out of a parking space, or lightly graze a pedestrian or bicyclist as you navigate a turn. These are three examples of what may seem like relatively minor car accidents; however, despite appearances or perceptions about them, these collisions can have far more devastating consequences to property and persons than you imagine.

Many motorists are quick to classify their car accidents as minor ones. They do so because they want to avoid getting the police or their insurance company involved, seeking medical treatment, or losing access to their vehicle while it’s under repair.

Commercial vehicle wrecks are some of the most destructive accidents on the road. Because of the size, weight, and configuration of large trucks like 18-wheelers, the consequences of a collision are usually catastrophic and often fatal. 

Particularly dangerous are rollover accidents. When a big rig driver loses control of the vehicle and tips over, passenger vehicle occupants caught in the devastation rarely survive. 

Right-of-way is the statutory right granted to drivers that allows them to proceed ahead of others on the road. Anyone who has a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit should have learned about West Virginia right-of-way traffic laws at one point in time, but we understand that it can be difficult to recall this information after weeks, months, or even years have passed. 

The attorneys at DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC want everyone on the road to be as safe as possible. For this reason, we have created the following guide to right-of-way laws in West Virginia. 

A car accident can change your life in the blink of an eye. If you’re lucky, you walk away with just some minor scrapes and bruises. But what if your Charleston collision is more serious? What if you end up with a concussion or even worse? And what if someone else’s negligence caused the accident?

If that happens, then West Virginia law may allow you to file a car accident claim and get compensated for your injuries by the other motorist’s insurance company. Your claim’s success may depend on whether the other driver was distracted when your Charleston crash occurred. So what exactly constitutes distracted driving, and how can it impact your car accident claim in our state? Read on to find out.

Being involved in a car accident is a physically, financially, and emotionally traumatizing event. Depending on the severity of your crash, you may be left with thousands of dollars in auto repairs and a seemingly unending stream of medical bills. If you are unable to work after your car accident, making a full recovery might seem out of reach.

Speed is a key factor in determining the severity of a motor vehicle crash. The faster the speed of the vehicles at the time of the collision, the more likely it is that occupants will suffer catastrophic injuries or death. High-speed crashes can rob accident victims of their health, mobility, mental capacity, and even their life. In 2019, speeding killed more than 25 people every day. 

If your life was changed by the immeasurable consequences of a speed-involved car accident, we may be able to help. At DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC, we have experience defending clients who suffered catastrophic injuries or the death of a loved one in a high-speed collision. Our car accident attorneys advocate for crash victims harmed by another driver’s negligent actions. We serve individuals and families in Charleston, WV and the surrounding areas.  

Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. By the time you realize your vehicle has been hit, you might not have the presence of mind to realize what actions led to the collision. This is not an uncommon reaction, as the hormone adrenaline (sometimes referred to as the fight-or-flight hormone) will flood your body as your brain prioritizes survival over all else. Thinking about who caused the accident might not even occur to you until later.

Who would you point to if we were to ask you which motorists are apt to get caught speeding here in Charleston? Would your response perhaps be age or gender-related? Or would it focus on something else? Or would these typical generalizations not even make it on your radar?

The time immediately following an accident can be confusing and overwhelming for injury victims. While your main priority should be your health and well-being, you might struggle to truly focus on your recovery while you are also worried about your finances.

Medical bills, car repair costs, and lost wages from missing work can all add up faster than most people realize. Your best bet may be to pursue compensation via a personal injury claim. Unfortunately, you may face an uphill battle to get the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies are businesses, which mean they typically prioritize their bottom lines.

After a car accident, you can expect that an insurance adjuster will contact you with questions about the crash. Sometimes, the adjuster will call you within 24 to 48 hours following the accident.

This conversation can be difficult to handle—especially if you are injured or dealing with issues like taking time off work or securing alternate transportation while your car is being repaired. Emotions and anxiety can also run high this soon after a traumatic event. If you don’t know what questions an insurance adjuster will ask, it can be even more difficult to come up with the right answers under pressure.