West Virginia Car Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident that occurred as a result of another’s negligent conduct, you may hire a West Virginia car accident lawyer and seek compensation in a personal injury lawsuit. At Tiano O’Dell, PLLC, we believe that every driver has the responsibility and duty to pay attention to the road and to the other vehicles in his or her proximity.

If a driver crashed into your vehicle, you may seek compensation for your injuries and other expenses. Call our law firm today at (304) 720-6700 and schedule a free legal consultation. We will fight for justice and your fair compensation.

West Virginia car accident lawyers

Car Accident Resources & FAQs

What Should You Do After a Car Accident in West Virginia?

Many auto accidents involve screeching tires, the point of impact, and the moment your vehicle comes to a rest. Adrenaline sets in, and you may feel numb or in shock. If you know what to do immediately after a car wreck, you can confidently take control of the situation and protect your rights on the scene. As Charleston, WV personal injury lawyers, we recommend taking these steps if you experience a car accident in our state:

  • Stay at the scene
  • Call the police
  • Provide an accurate record, sticking with the facts
  • Take pictures of the scene
  • Exchange information
  • Report the accident to your insurance
  • Seek medical attention

Take these steps after every car accident in Mountain State. At Tiano O’Dell, PLLC, our Charleston, WV car accident lawyers will help you navigate the complexities of handling an auto accident as soon as you hire us to represent you.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in West Virginia?

All states impose deadlines to limit the amount of time that may pass before a plaintiff files a civil claim. The legal term for these deadlines is statute of limitations. Statute of limitations exist to keep claims fair between both parties, mainly for the sake of defendants. Without a deadline to file, a claimant could potentially wait decades before filing a claim, almost ensuring important evidence the defendant may be able to use in his or her defense would be gone or forgotten.

Imposing a strict deadline encourages plaintiffs to come forward with their claims and requests as soon as possible. If you’re filing a car crash lawsuit in West Virginia, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of your injuries and/or property damage (Code Section 55-2-12). In general, you have two years from the date of your auto accident or the date you discover your injuries to bring your claim. West Virginia Code gives claimants two years to file personal injury and property damage claims, as well as two years from the date of death for wrongful death claims.

Some claimants discover their accident injuries after the date of the crash, due to adrenaline masking the pain or delayed symptoms. Delayed symptoms are common in head, neck, and back injuries. The clock will start ticking on the date of discovery, or on the date by which the claimant reasonably should have discovered the injuries. As soon as you realize the crash injured you, start thinking about your right to file a lawsuit.

Exceptions to the Rule

The West Virginia courts have the power to interpret statutes differently as needed. The courts may grant exceptions to standard statutes of limitations in certain circumstances. The courts can “toll,” or extend, the deadline’s start date in special situations, including when a plaintiff does not realize his or her injuries until later. The most common reasons the courts will grant time limit exceptions are for disabled plaintiffs and plaintiffs who are minors.

If a plaintiff has a physical or mental disability that interferes with the ability to file in a timely manner, the courts may toll the statute of limitations. The same is true if the plaintiff is bankrupt – the courts may extend the deadline until such a time as the claimant can afford to file. If the car accident victim (or surviving loved one in a wrongful death suit) is a minor child under the age of 18, the West Virginia courts may extend the deadline until the child turns 18. Discuss your case with our car accident attorneys to understand your specific deadline.

What Happens If You Miss Your Deadline?

Accident victims must not miss their time limits for filing lawsuits in West Virginia. The courts are strict when it comes to statutes of limitations and generally will not agree to hear a claim that comes after its deadline has passed. No matter how powerful your evidence or severe your damages, missing your deadline will almost always mean losing your right to seek restitution. Act fast if you believe you have grounds to file a lawsuit; contact a West Virginia car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

West Virginia Auto Insurance Laws

Like all states, it’s illegal to drive in West Virginia without car insurance. The state imposes minimum required amounts of insurance coverage for all who operate motor vehicles. Driving without at least minimum coverage could result in traffic citations, fines, and the loss of your driving privilege until you remedy the situation. The following are the minimum amounts of coverage all drivers in West Virginia must carry to abide by the law:

  • $20,000 in bodily injury coverage per person
  • $40,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident
  • $10,000 in property damage coverage per accident
  • $20,000 in uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage per person
  • $40,000 in UIM coverage per accident

Your auto insurance policy will cover the costs of medical expenses and property damage repairs relating to an auto accident, up to the maximum amount on your policy. You may or may not have to pay a deductible depending on the terms of your policy. The minimum coverage amounts will cover other parties’ damages if you are at fault for an accident. You can carry more than the minimum coverage required if desired, as well as purchase optional types of insurance coverage to pay for your own motor vehicle accident damages.

Navigating West Virginia’s car insurance laws after an accident can be difficult. Whether this is your first time filing a crash claim or you’ve done it before, you could benefit from an experienced attorney’s counsel. The experienced West Virginia car accident lawyers at Tiano O’Dell, PLLC know how to negotiate for maximum settlements with car insurance companies. We can take care of your claim and communications with insurance adjusters, preventing agents from taking advantage of you.

How Much Will a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in West Virginia?

The cost of hiring an accident attorney can discourage many crash victims from getting the help and representation they need. Unfortunately, this leads to insurance companies taking advantage of accident victims and offering much less than cases are worth. It’s a harmful misconception that retaining a private attorney for a car accident claim is too expensive or a waste of money. Most injury lawyers, including ours, take personal injury clients on a contingency fee basis. This means clients only pay if the lawyer wins the case and will never pay for your West Virginia accident lawyer out of pocket.

West Virginia Car Accident Statistics

If you regularly drive in West Virginia, keep these statistics in mind. Data on state car crashes help personal injury attorneys prove certain facts in a case. Statistics may also help you reduce your risk of injury on the roadways.

Fatality Rates: National vs. West Virginia (2006-2015)

West Virginia car accident fatality rate

These statistics illustrate the overall picture of auto accidents in the state of West Virginia:

  • In 2015, 268 people lost their lives in traffic Since 2006 (when the state recorded 410 deaths), the number of fatalities has consistently fallen. As an overall trend, the state is making progress National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
  • Of all passenger vehicle fatalities that year, 99 individuals were unrestrained compared to 72 who used restraining systems (NHTSA). Across the country, more than half of those who died in 2014 were unrestrained. Seat belts cut instances of injury and death in half, making them an important safe driving practice (CDC). A state seatbelt survey from 2015 indicates that 89% of drivers and front seat occupants use seatbelts – a significant rise over previous years.
  • Of the 268 fatal crashes recorded in 2015, 71 (or 26%) involved alcohol impairment (NHTSA).
  • The majority of fatal crashes in the state in 2015 involved roadway departures (191), single vehicles (160), and rollovers (88) (NHTSA).

With little current information on injuries, contributing factors, and geographical concentrations, drivers must look to the news and state resources to improve road safety on an ongoing basis.

To gain a clearer picture of the accidents, drivers can dial 511 at any time or look at the state’s incident reporting system.

Injured in a West Virginia Car Accident_ Contact us Today!

Common Causes of Car Accidents in West Virginia

In West Virginia and across the country, injuries and fatalities often connect back to the same set of contributing factors. Speeding, texting and driving, or drunk driving increases the risk for reckless driving behaviors and the possibility for accidents. Other causes include:

  • Failure to yield right of way
  • Failure to stop at stop sign
  • Rubbernecking
  • Driver fatigue
  • Running red lights
  • Road defects
  • Vehicle improperly maintained
  • Dangerous weather and driving conditions
  • Inexperienced and/or unlicensed drivers
  • Tailgating

In addition to these driver error-related causes, drivers must watch for wildlife crossing the road (particularly in the early morning and at night). If the incident involved a semi or commercial truck please see our West Virginia truck accident lawyer page.

Every incident reported in your local area and at the state level offers insights into why accidents happen in West Virginia. You may start to notice that the majority of incidents involve human error. At Tiano O’Dell, PLLC, our West Virginia car accident attorneys represent individuals who suffer preventable injuries in these accidents. Safe drivers do not deserve to suffer at the hands of careless and reckless drivers.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in West Virginia

Unless you have a background in law, you should hire an attorney to handle your case if you suffered serious injuries (more than $1,000 in medical bills). An attorney has the knowledge, experience, and resources to give your case its greatest chance of not only succeeding but of achieving the best results possible. Here are six ways an attorney can assist you after an auto accident. He or she can:

  • Help you with injury care
  • Preserve and collect key data
  • Meet your filing deadline
  • Deal with bad faith insurance companies
  • Win more for serious injuries
  • Hold negligent parties accountable

Working with a West Virginia car accident attorney comes with many perks besides financial gains. Your auto accident lawyer can become your ally and confidant when dealing with serious injuries and legal matters.

Free Consultation with a West Virginia Car Accident Lawyer

At Tiano O’Dell, PLLC, our car accident attorneys offer a complimentary case evaluation at which you can discuss your case and ask questions. We are a plaintiff’s rights law firm, dedicated to helping our clients pursue the fair settlement they deserve. You may seek compensation for your injuries and expenses, including medical expenses, medical treatment, pain and suffering, lost income, property damage, and more.

While the great majority of cases are successfully negotiated out of court, if the insurance company or other liable party does not offer a fair and reasonable settlement, we will not hesitate to take the case to trial. There are no legal fees unless we win your case. To schedule your complimentary case evaluation, contact our law firm today.