["https:\/\/schema.org",[{"@type":"LegalService","@id":"https:\/\/robinettelaw.com\/#legalservice","name":"Robinette Legal Group, PLLC","url":"https:\/\/robinettelaw.com\/","telephone":"+1-304-594-1800","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","streetAddress":"211 Everhart Dr Ste 200","addressLocality":"Morgantown","addressRegion":"WV","postalCode":"26508","addressCountry":"US"},"areaServed":["Morgantown WV","Monongalia County WV","West Virginia"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/robinettelaw.com\/#jeffrobinette","name":"Jeff Robinette","jobTitle":"Attorney","worksFor":{"@id":"https:\/\/robinettelaw.com\/#legalservice"},"hasCredential":{"@type":"EducationalOccupationalCredential","credentialCategory":"Board Certification","name":"Civil Trial Law, National Board of Trial Advocacy"}},{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/robinettelaw.com\/fatal-car-accidents\/#article","headline":"Morgantown Fatal Car Accident Lawyer","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/robinettelaw.com\/#legalservice"},"reviewedBy":{"@id":"https:\/\/robinettelaw.com\/#jeffrobinette"},"dateModified":"2026-07-15"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/robinettelaw.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Car Accidents","item":"https:\/\/robinettelaw.com\/car-accidents\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Fatal Car Accidents","item":"https:\/\/robinettelaw.com\/fatal-car-accidents\/"}]},{"@type":"FAQPage","@id":"https:\/\/robinettelaw.com\/fatal-car-accidents\/#faq","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"How long do we have to file after a fatal car accident in West Virginia?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Two years from the date of death under West Virginia Code 55-7-6(d). Some circumstances can change the deadline, and evidence disappears much faster than two years, so speak with an attorney early."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Who receives the money from a West Virginia wrongful death settlement?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The court distributes the recovery to the surviving spouse, children, siblings, parents, and anyone financially dependent on the deceased, as directed by West Virginia Code 55-7-6."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What if my loved one was partly at fault for the crash?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Your family can still recover if your loved one's share of fault is 50 percent or less. The award is reduced by that percentage under West Virginia's modified comparative fault law."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How long does a fatal car accident case take to resolve?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Most cases resolve in several months to two years, depending on the investigation, the number of defendants, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Wrongful death settlements require court approval in West Virginia."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is a wrongful death settlement taxable?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Compensation for physical injury or death is generally not taxable income under federal law, though portions such as punitive damages can be treated differently. Confirm specifics with a tax professional."}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What does it cost to hire a fatal car accident lawyer?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Nothing up front. Robinette Legal Group handles fatal crash cases on a contingency fee. The consultation is free and the fee comes only from the recovery obtained."}}]}],{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/robinettelaw.com\/head-on-collisions\/#BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Morgantown Head-On Collision Lawyer","item":"https:\/\/robinettelaw.com\/head-on-collisions\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]