Three of West Virginia's most popular interstates (I-64, I-77 and I-79) interlace through much of West Virginia, Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. They are to blame for a multitude of accidents and deaths every year. The many coal trucks, big rigs and tractor-trailers that use the freeways contribute to the danger. These large vehicles have been responsible for deadly chain-reaction crashes.
Any time an accident occurs, the possibility of injury exists. Injuries range from a bruise on the head to paralysis, even death. If you are involved in a car wreck, you should seek medical attention immediately. Many injuries, especially those to the back and spinal cord, can take weeks and even months to become fully realized. Slipped discs, whiplash and spinal contusions can all result in months of pain and rehabilitation.
How West Virginia Auto Insurance Works
Once you have been examined, you will want to contact your insurance company and, in many cases, an attorney. West Virginia is an "at fault" state, which means that the driver at fault in the accident is responsible for the damages that occur. Unfortunately, determining fault is not always easy and in some cases accident victims end up paying more than they should.
After the police report is filed, it is usually the insurance company's responsibility to determine who was at fault for the accident. This is not ideal. Most insurance companies' primary concern is limiting how much they have to pay — your needs are secondary, if even considered at all. This is where a personal injury attorney is helpful. It is the attorney's job to work for you. In some situations, trucking experts and accident recreation experts can be employed to support your case.
Depending on your policy, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company to cover the damages that exceed your settlement with the other driver's insurance company. Your attorney can help sort through this complex system of determining fault and obligations.
West Virginia requires all of its drivers to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance. Check your policy to see if you have this coverage. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage compensates you for the expenses the other motorist should have paid. Better yet, most insurance companies are not allowed to raise your rates for filing a claim due to being injured as a result of an uninsured/underinsured motorist.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Whenever you are involved in an automobile accident, you will inevitably need to speak with an insurance adjuster. The adjuster may employ a stall-and-deny tactic in order to get some of your expenses covered by medical insurance and other sources. Your job, as the accident victim, is to prevent this.
When dealing with insurance companies, get everything in writing and have all vehicle repairs authorized before you begin. If your insurance company begins to stall, remind them that the longer they wait to get the vehicle fixed, the more it costs them in rental car and car storage fees.
Review your insurance policy before you are involved in an accident to make sure you have the right amount of coverage. Always carry emergency numbers in your wallet so you can contact a doctor, an attorney and loved ones immediately. If you are involved in a car wreck, knowing your rights and responsibilities will help make the entire process a little easier to handle.
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Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Bus Accident Injuries in California are Occurring too Often
Although bus accidents do not occur nearly as often as automobile accidents, the number of bus accident injury victims still reaches well into the thousands every year in Los Angeles and San Diego, California.
As the need for greater fuel efficiency and money-saving techniques is rising all the time, more and more people are taking to the public transit system to take them everywhere they need to go, increasing the possibility of accidents and injuries in transit systems. If you’ve been one of the unfortunate victims of a bus accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer right away.
There are a number of different types of bus accidents that can occur and result in serious injuries. Some of these injuries can be a result of tour bus accidents. Often the drivers of these tour buses are young college students with little to no previous commercial driving experience. Maybe your child was injured in a school bus accident on his or her way home. Perhaps your accident occurred while you were a passenger in a city transit bus going into town. Whatever the circumstances, you likely bear no fault whatsoever in the accident. The candidates who could likely be at fault in the accident may potentially include the bus company, those who perform mechanical maintenance on the buses (if a separate entity from the bus company), the bus driver, or one or more government agencies. The other party in a collision could also be liable for the accident.
In order to determine accurately who is truly at fault for the accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. He or she will have access to information that you may not be able to retrieve on your own. For example, the maintenance company that works on the mechanical parts of the bus in which you had your accident may have past history of faulty work that has caused accidents. You likely wouldn’t be able to get this information on your own, and the bus and maintenance companies would obviously not volunteer that type of information. This is where a personal injury lawyer can truly help you in your claim.
Long-lasting injuries can potentially be incurred in any type of bus accident. Buses generally do not come equipped with seatbelts or restraining belts of any type, making the likelihood of serious wounds and health problems that much greater. Some of the most common injuries sustained during bus accidents include spinal cord injuries, mild to severe concussions, skin lacerations, and even internal bleeding. Regardless of how extensive the injuries may be, you will more than likely be charged a substantial amount at the hospital for medical treatment. As the unsuspecting victim of a bus accident that was in no way your fault, you shouldn’t be held accountable to financially cover your medical treatments. Whoever is found to be at fault for the accident should be responsible for that. In order to make sure you receive compensation for your injuries, you should contact a personal injury lawyer in your area immediately following your accident. Receiving medical attention for your injuries is obviously first priority, but as soon as possible you should consult an attorney.
Source
As the need for greater fuel efficiency and money-saving techniques is rising all the time, more and more people are taking to the public transit system to take them everywhere they need to go, increasing the possibility of accidents and injuries in transit systems. If you’ve been one of the unfortunate victims of a bus accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer right away.
There are a number of different types of bus accidents that can occur and result in serious injuries. Some of these injuries can be a result of tour bus accidents. Often the drivers of these tour buses are young college students with little to no previous commercial driving experience. Maybe your child was injured in a school bus accident on his or her way home. Perhaps your accident occurred while you were a passenger in a city transit bus going into town. Whatever the circumstances, you likely bear no fault whatsoever in the accident. The candidates who could likely be at fault in the accident may potentially include the bus company, those who perform mechanical maintenance on the buses (if a separate entity from the bus company), the bus driver, or one or more government agencies. The other party in a collision could also be liable for the accident.
In order to determine accurately who is truly at fault for the accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. He or she will have access to information that you may not be able to retrieve on your own. For example, the maintenance company that works on the mechanical parts of the bus in which you had your accident may have past history of faulty work that has caused accidents. You likely wouldn’t be able to get this information on your own, and the bus and maintenance companies would obviously not volunteer that type of information. This is where a personal injury lawyer can truly help you in your claim.
Long-lasting injuries can potentially be incurred in any type of bus accident. Buses generally do not come equipped with seatbelts or restraining belts of any type, making the likelihood of serious wounds and health problems that much greater. Some of the most common injuries sustained during bus accidents include spinal cord injuries, mild to severe concussions, skin lacerations, and even internal bleeding. Regardless of how extensive the injuries may be, you will more than likely be charged a substantial amount at the hospital for medical treatment. As the unsuspecting victim of a bus accident that was in no way your fault, you shouldn’t be held accountable to financially cover your medical treatments. Whoever is found to be at fault for the accident should be responsible for that. In order to make sure you receive compensation for your injuries, you should contact a personal injury lawyer in your area immediately following your accident. Receiving medical attention for your injuries is obviously first priority, but as soon as possible you should consult an attorney.
Source
Monday, July 6, 2009
West Virginia Harley Davidson Accident Lawyer
Unfortunately, when a motorcycle accident occurs, the injuries are almost always more serious than a car accident. Fractures, paralysis, and fatalities are all too common in an accident. Many drivers do a poor job of watching for motorcycles.
Rist Law Offices represents Harley Davidson and other motorcycle riders in serious accident cases throughout West Virginia. We offer free consultations to all riders and their families to discuss whether a case could be filed. We accept all motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no fee unless your case is settled or won in court.
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Rist Law Offices represents Harley Davidson and other motorcycle riders in serious accident cases throughout West Virginia. We offer free consultations to all riders and their families to discuss whether a case could be filed. We accept all motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no fee unless your case is settled or won in court.
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