Victims of truck accidents can experience catastrophic injuries. Even minor or moderate injuries can leave you with medical bills, time missed at work, and an uncertain financial future.
Fortunately, if you have been involved in an accident with a negligent truck driver in Huntington, West Virginia law may allow you to recover damages related to your economic and non-economic losses. A Huntington truck accident lawyer from Underwood Law Office may be able to pursue this compensation on your behalf in an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Ultimately, our attorneys believe you should not be held responsible for rebuilding your life after another person’s negligence puts you in harm’s way.
To learn more about your rights in personal injury cases, contact an Underwood Law Office representative today at (304) 522-0508 for your free case review. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can get started investigating your case.
Why Negligent Truck Accidents May Warrant Legal Action
When a passenger vehicle is involved in an accident with a large truck, such as semi-trucks, tanker trucks, and 18-wheelers, you may be at a natural disadvantage.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), trucks can weigh as much as 30 times more than passenger cars. Trucks can also be taller than a passenger vehicle, which means cars may be able to slide under trucks during accidents, potentially causing catastrophic damage.
With even the slightest mistake on behalf of the truck driver, the resulting physical, psychological, and financial damage can haunt a victim for the rest of their life.
When truckers fail to keep their fellow motorists safe, and you end up being injured in the process, you may be entitled to take legal action against them so you can recover what you have lost.
For a free legal consultation with a truck accidents lawyer serving Huntington, call (972) 535-6377
Proving Liability for Truck Accidents
Depending on the accident, a variety of parties may be liable for a truck accident. If the truck driver’s negligence caused the accident, and their truck is independently owned and operated, they may be personally liable for your damages.
However, if the truck driver that caused your accident was working on the clock as an employee of a trucking company, their employer may be liable for your damages.
There may be other parties involved, such as a negligent mechanic or cargo loader, who has liability for a truck accident.
When we represent you, a Huntington truck accident lawyer from Underwood Law Office can work to identify the liable party and prove their liability in your case.
Some of the investigation methods we use may include:
- Presenting photos and video from the scene of the accident
- Using evidence provided from police reports
- Reviewing your medical diagnosis to prove the extent of your injuries, which may also shed more light on how the accident occurred
- Calling upon experts to analyze scientific evidence from the accident, including having professionals recreate the accident scene
- Documenting eyewitness testimony
- And more
If you believe another party’s negligence caused your Huntington truck accident, do not hesitate to call Underwood Law Office today at (304) 522-0508. A representative of our firm is standing by to provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation on your case, your legal options, and our services.
Huntington Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me (972) 535-6377
Recoverable Damages in a Truck Accident Case
In addition to evidence we gather about the liability for your accident, Underwood Law Office can evaluate your damages and produce evidence of their value.
While the specific forms of compensation may vary between cases, potentially recoverable damages may include:
- Medical expenses, including the cost of ongoing treatment
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Physical disabilities that may affect you in the future
- Pain and suffering
- And more
After we collect this evidence in your case, Underwood Law Office can present it to the responsible party’s insurance company. If they are not willing to make you a fair settlement offer, we can take your case to trial.
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West Virginia Laws Surrounding Your Eligibility for Damages
West Virginia law allows accident victims to recover compensation even if they were partially responsible for the accident. Specifically, in accordance with WV Code § 55-7-13A, the state uses the legal concept of “comparative fault” in personal injury cases. This means that victims who are partially to blame for their accident may have their settlements reduced by the overall percentage of their responsibility.
Here is how the law works:
- For example, if you are deemed to be 10% liable for your accident and you are awarded $50,000 in a settlement, that settlement may be reduced by 10%, coming to a total of $45,000
- Those that are deemed to be more than 50% responsible for their accident may not be able to recover damages
Another important law to be aware of is the statute of limitations. Per WV Code § 55-2-12, a general two-year statute of limitations pertains to personal injury lawsuits in West Virginia. If you wait longer than this to take legal action, it could mean your case is dismissed, and you are unable to collect damages via lawsuit.
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Underwood Law Office Can Fight for Your Rights
A Huntington truck accident lawyer from Underwood Law Office can handle all aspects of your case when we represent you. This includes all communications, paperwork, and legal deadlines. The way we see it, our attorneys are here to help make your legal journey less time-consuming and less stressful, allowing you to focus on getting your life back.
Underwood Law Office takes truck accident cases on a contingency-fee basis with no up-front payment required. For more information, contact an Underwood Law Office team member today for your free consultation at (304) 522-0508.
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