Some auto accidents cause only minor damage. Others can have a devastating effect on your life, leaving you seriously injured, saddled with expensive medical bills, and unable to earn a living. Either way, if an accident was not your fault, you deserve full and fair compensation from the at-fault driver. You also deserve to have your case handled by a compassionate and knowledgeable attorney who will not rest until you receive every penny you are owed.
The legal team at Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, can help. Our hard-working personal injury attorneys are fully dedicated to pursuing justice for injury victims throughout West Virginia. Over the years, we have established a solid reputation in our community for recovering the maximum compensation possible on behalf of our clients as we help them get back on their feet after an accident.
Let us put our experience to work for you. Contact Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal rights and options going forward.
Common Injuries Suffered in Auto Accidents
Again, auto accidents range widely from minor to devastatingly serious. Common injuries we see in the cases we handle include:
- Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Soft-tissue strains, sprains, and tears
- Dislocated, fractured, and broken bones
- Facial and dental injuries
- Amputation and loss of limb
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Scars and permanent disfigurement
- “Road rash” and other burn injuries
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Wrongful death
It is also important to remember that the shock of a car accident can cause an adrenaline rush through your body, which may mask symptoms of certain injuries for hours or days after the accident. Common “latent injuries” include soft-tissue injuries, bone fractures (especially “hairline” fractures), internal organ damage/bleeding, and concussions.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
If you can, it is a good idea to start taking proactive steps to protect your right to compensation as soon as possible after an auto accident. The following tips should help get you started on the right track:
- Report the accident to local authorities.
- Even if you do not think you were seriously injured, seek medical attention early on. This will ensure that no latent injuries are overlooked and that your medical records are complete. They will be used to calculate how much compensation you are owed.
- Do not deviate from your doctor’s treatment plan. Doing so can undermine your claim.
- Keep copies of medical bills, car repair invoices, pay stubs, and all other documentation showing the financial impact of the accident on your life.
- Keep a pain journal documenting the day-to-day discomfort caused by your injuries and medical treatment during your recovery.
- Be cautious when discussing your claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company, as they will look for any reason to deny your claim. Do not sign a medical record release, allow them to record a conversation, or accept a settlement offer before consulting with an attorney.
- Avoid discussing your accident, injuries, insurance claim, and lawsuit on social media. Insurance companies sometimes monitor accident victims’ social media accounts for anything that may undermine their claim.
- Consult with an attorney early on. This will ensure that they are given as much time as possible to gather evidence before it disappears and build the strongest possible claim on your behalf.
How Do I Get a Copy of My Accident Report in West Virginia?
Even if you think an accident was minor, you should make a report to the local authorities. Responding officers will complete a police accident report. Because they are trained to investigate accident scenes and provide a neutral, third-party perspective of the crash, their report will become a key source of evidence to determine liability for the accident.
If local police responded to your accident, you can request a copy of the report from their police department. The Star City Police Department can be reached by calling (304) 599-3550. If the West Virginia State Police responded to the accident, you could obtain a crash report by filling out and mailing in a request form.
How Is Fault Determined After a West Virginia Car Accident?
In most personal injury cases, plaintiffs recover compensation by proving that the at-fault party was guilty of negligence. That is, they must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that they were injured in an accident caused by the defendant’s failure to take reasonable precautions to avoid causing harm to others on the road. All sorts of evidence can be used to prove this, including things like:
- Police accident reports
- Photographs and videos of the scene
- Footage from surveillance, traffic, and dash cameras
- Witness statements
- Data from traffic signals and road sensors
- Cell phone and “black box” logs
- Post-accident drug/alcohol tests
- Post-accident vehicle inspections
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Medical treatment and billing records
- Testimony from experts, including doctors, traffic engineers, and accident reconstruction specialists
What Compensation Is Available Through a Star City Car Accident Lawsuit?
If you successfully prove that the at-fault party caused the accident, you can receive significant compensation for both the economic and noneconomic impact your injuries have on your life. Depending on the extent and severity of your injuries, you can receive compensation for things like:
- Medical treatment, including hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and prescription medication
- Long-term care and support if your injuries lead to permanent disabilities, including home health care, housekeeping services, or medical/mobility equipment
- Lost income if you miss time from work or earn less while on part-time/light duty during your recovery
- Lowered future earning capacity and employment benefits if you cannot return to your old job
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Lowered quality of life
- Personal property repair or replacement costs
Talk to Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in Star City, WV Today
Car accidents are an everyday occurrence throughout the state and country. When they occur, injured victims are often left struggling with serious injuries and mounting medical bills. If you were injured in a car accident you did not cause, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. Contact Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about how our Star City car accident lawyers can assist you on the road to full and fair compensation.
Call us today to find out how we can help you.
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