Were you hurt in a car accident with a negligent or reckless driver in Cheat Lake? You deserve compensation and justice for your suffering, but the at-fault driver’s insurance provider might argue otherwise. After all, they have a vested interest in paying as little as possible, and they might make securing the financial resources you need more challenging than they should. Don’t face off against them alone. Instead, turn to a Cheat Lake car accident lawyer from Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, to help you seek financial relief for your harm and loss.

Attorney Jeff Robinette has advocated for the rights of severely injured accident victims in Cheat Lake and throughout West Virginia for over a decade. His previous experience in insurance defense gives him particular insight into how insurers fight car accident claims. He uses that insight to develop effective legal strategies tailored to his client’s needs and interests. Jeff Robinette’s dedication to obtaining maximum results has earned him lifetime membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and recognition as a National Top 1% Personal Injury Attorney.

If you’ve been hurt in a car crash in Cheat Lake, choose an attorney with proven experience and skills. Contact Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, for a free initial case evaluation to learn how an experienced car accident lawyer can advocate for your rights and help you pursue the financial resources you need to get your life back on track.

What to Do After a Car Accident

What you do after a car crash in Cheat Lake can have a major impact on the outcome of your case. Taking the following steps can improve your chances of a strong recovery:

  • Report the accident to law enforcement if you did not call the police at the accident scene. Remember to request a copy of the police accident report in the days after the accident.
  • Seek immediate medical attention to get checked for injuries you sustained in the crash.
  • Follow your treatment plan and recovery instructions. Do not put off treating or rehabilitating your injuries.
  • Request copies of your medical records and treatment notes.
  • Report the crash to your car insurance company to confirm your eligibility for any applicable coverage in your policy.
  • Keep your bills, invoices, and receipts for expenses you incur due to the accident.
  • Find copies of your pay stubs/income statements if you need to miss time from work during your recovery or if you suffer a temporary or permanent reduction or loss in earning capacity.

Finally, contact a car accident lawyer from Robinette Legal Group, PLLC, to discuss your next steps. The sooner you do, the more we can help.

Leading Causes of Car Accidents

Many car wrecks happen due to one or more drivers’ negligence or recklessness behind the wheel, such as:

  • Speeding or traveling too fast for road/weather, traffic, or visibility conditions
  • Tailgating/following too closely
  • Reckless driving, such as excessive speeding or swerving between lanes of traffic
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Disregarding traffic signals
  • Failing to yield the right of way
  • Making illegal turns or lane changes
  • Not using turn signals or mirrors
  • Distracted driving, including the use of a cell phone while driving
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Drowsy/fatigued driving
  • Inadequate vehicle maintenance

Other potential factors that can cause or contribute to car accidents in Cheat Lake include car or auto part defects, poor road conditions, and low lighting/visibility.

Most Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accident victims often suffer severe injuries as a result, such as:

  • Lacerations or abrasions, including road rash injuries
  • Burns from post-crash vehicle fires
  • Degloving injuries
  • Ligament sprains or tears
  • Muscle/tendon strains or tears
  • Broken bones
  • Whiplash
  • Nerve damage
  • Herniated spinal disc injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
  • Internal organ injuries or internal bleeding
  • Facial injuries
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Traumatic amputation or limb loss
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder

How To Prove Fault in a Cheat Lake Car Accident Case

If you’ve been hurt in a collision caused by a negligent or reckless driver, you may wonder how to prove they were at fault so you can get the compensation you deserve. Establishing liability for a car crash requires various kinds of evidence, such as:

  • Accident scene photos and videos
  • Traffic citations or arrest records
  • Police accident reports
  • Surveillance/traffic camera or dashcam footage
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Post-accident vehicle inspection
  • Car event data recorder (“black box”) logs
  • Driver cell phone records
  • Car maintenance/repair records

Your attorney may work with an accident reconstruction or engineering expert to review the evidence from the crash and prepare a report regarding what happened in the moments before the crash to identify those responsible.

Compensation Available in West Virginia Car Accident Claims

When you file your car accident claim, you’re demanding that the person who caused the accident compensate you for the economic and personal losses you suffered because of them. Car accident compensation for economic losses can include money for:

  • Vehicle repairs, or the value of your car if totaled in the accident
  • Medical/rehabilitation expenses
  • Long-term care for disabilities
  • Loss of income if you become temporarily or permanently disabled from your job

Your compensation can also include financial recovery for personal and emotional losses you experience due to your injuries. These non-economic losses can include:

  • Physical pain
  • Emotional trauma/distress
  • Reduced enjoyment/quality of life caused by physical disabilities or visible scarring/disfigurement.

In rare cases, a car crash victim can recover punitive damages in a car accident lawsuit. Punitive damages do not compensate for any financial or personal loss but rather punish a driver at fault for a car accident for wanton or reckless conduct that caused the crash and deter others from engaging in similar behavior in the future.

Talk to Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in Cheat Lake, WV, Today

Have you suffered car accident injuries that weren’t your fault? Seek legal help to demand financial recovery for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact our firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation to talk to a Cheat Lake car accident attorney about your legal options.