If you have been injured by the negligence of another party in West Virginia, you should seek compensation and help from a West Virginia personal injury lawyer to recover your losses. This could include lost wages, pain and suffering, medical bills, and more. Hiring an attorney will ensure deadlines are met and you get maximum compensation.
Even if you do not retain a personal injury attorney, all insurance companies do. They will probably hire an entire law firm. The only way to win against them is by appointing an experienced lawyer in West Virginia to fight your personal injury case.
What is the one job of an insurance adjuster? Just this: to minimize the payout on your personal injury claim and offer you the least possible amount – even when you have suffered a serious and potentially life-changing injury. And when it comes to doing their job, there is not much that will deter them.
You can bet that insurance companies you are up against will scour your social media accounts for weaknesses in your claim. They may even hire detectives to record your movements on video as proof that the injuries were not that severe. A West Virginia personal injury attorney can make sure none of these underhanded tactics affect your payout. Your law firm will protect your interests and see that you get the maximum possible compensation for your suffering.
Types of Cases Our West Virginia Personal Injury Lawyers Handle
Our lawyers have experience representing plaintiffs in all types of personal injury cases. Some of our practice areas include:
- Common Foot Injuries
- Broken Bones and Fractures
- Bulging Disc Injuries
- Rotator Cuff Injuries
- Herniated Disc Injuries
- Pelvic Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Amputation and loss of arm or leg
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Blindness and loss of eyesight
- Organ disease from toxic exposure
- Paralysis and quadriplegia
- Electrical shock injuries, including serious burn injuries
If you suffered any of the personal injuries above and were injured by a person, corporation, or product in West Virginia, you may have a personal injury case. Common examples include:
- Vacation accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Product defect accidents
- Medical and dental accidents
- Industrial disease or injury cases
Be sure to call our law firm if you believe you may be eligible for a personal injury claim. Our legal team will provide you with a free consultation to help you understand your rights and legal options going forward.
West Virginia Personal Injury FAQs
Serious and catastrophic injuries can wreak havoc on your and your family’s life. They can affect your ability to work, engage in physical activities, and your overall enjoyment of life. You may be left with crippling chronic pain, psychological trauma, exorbitant medical bills – or all of the above. And, on top of it all, you may not even know what you can do about it. Like so many of our personal injury clients, you may feel confused, stressed, and utterly clueless.
The good news is that you absolutely can take back control of your life. There is a lot that you can do to protect your interests and receive compensation for your pain and suffering. The first step is learning what your options are. This section is a good place to start – we have drawn up a list of some of the most common questions we get from legal clients in our practice.
However, please bear in mind that the material below is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, as it does not take into account the unique circumstances of your case. So, after you read this post, you must schedule a consultation with qualified personal injury lawyers in West Virginia. They will give you the best and most accurate advice on what you should do next.
What Does “Personal Injury” Mean?
When we lawyers refer to personal injury, we mean any injury that affects the body, mind, or emotions.
An injury may give rise to a lawsuit where the claimant’s injury was caused by the negligence, carelessness, or recklessness of another. If that is established, the victim may be eligible for monetary compensation in the form of an insurance settlement or a court judgment.
Do I Have a Case?
You may have a case if the following conditions are met:
- The other party owed you a duty of care.
- That duty was breached.
- You suffered personal injury as a direct result of the breach.
What Kind of Cases Do Personal Injury Lawyers Handle?
Accidents that result in personal injuries are way more common than you might think. Examples include but are not limited to:
- Animal bites
- Slips and falls
- Trips and falls
- Defective products
- Workplace accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Car, truck, and bicycle accidents
- Medical and dental malpractice
Is It Worth Getting a Lawyer?
Absolutely. The personal injury laws of West Virginia are very complex and riddled with numerous exceptions and caveats. It can be challenging even for experienced attorneys, let alone for non-professionals.
Plaintiffs who represent themselves compromise their cases. Not only do they lack the necessary knowledge, but they also find it hard to remain objective and levelheaded – which is a must when navigating the legal system. As a result, they end up settling for far less than what they could have obtained if they had retained a qualified team of lawyers.
What Percentage Does a West Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer Charge?
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means they only get paid if and when you receive your compensation. At Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, we operate on a contingency fee basis too.
The percentage is flexible, and the final amount is usually based on the severity of the personal injury. The more serious the injury and the more pain and suffering it causes, the higher the settlement.
When Should I Contact a Lawyer?
As soon as you possibly can. The closer it is to the date of the accident, the easier it will be to obtain evidence. Your attorney will also have more time to work on your case, and the memory of the accident will still be relatively fresh on your mind.
What Damages Can You Recover in a West Virginia Personal Injury Claim?
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you might be able to claim any or all of the following:
- Financial damages to cover expenses you incurred due to the accident. These include medical costs, loss of earnings, property damage, and more.
- Non-financial damages to compensate you for your pain and suffering, including psychological trauma, PTSD, and more.
- Punitive damages as punishment for the other party.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in West Virginia?
The West Virginia personal injury law establishes you have two years from the date you were injured to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there are exceptions to this rule. These include cases involving minors and attempts at fraud or coverup to escape liability.
Personal Injury Statistics for West Virginia
As far as you are concerned, the most pertinent statistics are probably those relating to the size of the average payout rates. While settlement amounts are not publicly available, some 67% of personal injury claims (Martindale-Nolo Research’s 2017 study) across the country are settled out of court. Only 4% go to trial.
This is what we know about that 4%:
- 16% of claimants receive less than $3,000
- 37% get between $3,000 and $10,000
- 21% of plaintiffs obtain compensation between $10,000 and $25,000
- 10% are awarded damages of $25,000 to $75,000
- 6% get more than $75,000
How Our West Virginia Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help
Most cases are settled pretrial. Only a small percentage make it to court. For those that do, the plaintiff success rates range from 19% to 61% (U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics), depending on the cause of the injury. Personal injury attorneys help claimants increase their chances of success and obtain maximum compensation.
Why Choose the West Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer at Robinette Legal Group, PLLC?
At Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, we are an experienced law firm that knows West Virginia law. Our attorney has also been in this business long enough to understand how the system works and the tricks insurers use to avoid making payouts to personal injury victims.
But that’s not all. Even after 30+ years of representing personal injury claimants, we do not take success for granted. Our lawyer fights for every case as if it were our first.
We always aim for the maximum possible compensation because we understand that this is not about the money or your injury. It is about reclaiming your life and providing for yourself and your family.
And if you are running on a tight budget, do not worry. Our personal injury law firm in West Virginia works on a contingency fee basis. That means we will not charge you a dime unless and until you win in court or secure a settlement.
What Makes Robinette Legal Group, PLLC Unique?
Our law firm founder, Jeff Robinette, is a former insurance defense lawyer. As such, he knows the strategies insurance companies employ to get away with paying claimants inside and out. Mr. Robinette has used his insider knowledge to successfully represent plaintiffs and their family members for nearly three decades.
Mr. Robinette is also:
- National Board Certified Trial Attorney
- National Association of Distinguished Counsel’s 2019 Nation’s Top One Percent Member
- American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys’ 2019 10 Best Personal Injury Attorneys for Client Satisfaction
Our law firm is based in Morgantown, but we serve clients across West Virginia.
Our lawyer in justice, integrity, compassion, and the importance of serving our local Morgantown community. Our law firm is 100% dedicated to all of our cases and always aspires to the highest standards of professionalism.
Do You Think You May Have a Personal Injury Case in West Virginia?
If so, you should contact a West Virginia personal injury attorney as soon as possible. This way, you will ensure that your lawyer has ample time to work on your personal injury claim, gather all the necessary evidence, and file everything on time. They will also:
- Explain your options
- Suggest the next best steps
- Advise you on what damages you might be eligible for
- Assist you in making an informed decision about your and your family’s future
More importantly, however, dedicated personal injury lawyers can help you build a solid case – and then win it.
At Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, our attorney will fight tirelessly to get compensation for all the pain and suffering you have endured.
Call 304-594-1800 today for a free consultation.
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