Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injury in the United States, including West Virginia. If you recently suffered harm in a motor vehicle accident, you may be wondering how you’ll pay for your medical bills or make ends meet when you’re missing work. Fortunately, state civil law provides an important form of recourse to those who incur injury in a car accident. Learn about your legal options and when you need to contact a Morgantown car accident lawyer.
The laws of West Virginia allow victims of negligence to collect compensation from an at-fault driver following a car accident. “Negligence” is a legal term that encompasses virtually every aspect of personal injury law. It holds that we all have an implicit duty to exercise “reasonable care” around one another, and, if we breach that duty, we may be liable for another person’s injuries.
Examples of negligence following a car accident may include driving while distracted, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, speeding, or failing to yield the right of way to another driver. In some instances, negligence is clear. Imagine, for example, that you were driving along the road when a drunk driver crossed the middle line and struck your vehicle. Here, it’s obvious who is at fault for an accident.
Reality is rarely this simple, however. In many car accidents, multiple parties may share fault, and you may be working to negotiate with different insurance companies. It’s also not uncommon for insurance companies to deny or present low-ball offers for claims. For these reasons, it’s essential to hire a car accident attorney in Morgantown.
After a serious accident, a police officer arrives at the scene and creates a report, which includes an initial finding of fault. While these documents are sometimes not admissible in court, insurance companies use them to guide their own investigations. An insurance company’s job is to pay out as little on claims as possible, and they might try to find you partially at fault for an accident.
At Manchin Injury Law Group, our only priority is finding the truth and holding negligent people accountable for their actions. Our personal injury lawyers in Morgantown conduct our own independent investigation into your accident using techniques like forensic evidence and accident reconstruction. We determine who is legally responsible for your injuries and negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve.
Following a car accident, you may be able to collect damages that pay for your medical bills and lost wages, as well as immaterial losses like physical pain, suffering, or mental anguish. Your first step is contacting a car accident attorney as soon as possible.
The Manchin Injury Law Group has been serving greater Morgantown for 37 years. We’re committed to helping victims of negligence gain fair compensation for their injuries. If you or a loved one suffered harm in a West Virginia car accident, contact our firm for a free initial consultation and review your legal options with a Morgantown accident attorney today.
