Huntington, WV Car Accident Lawyers

Each year, tens of thousands of Americans are killed in motor vehicle accidents. Auto crashes are the leading cause of death among teen drivers, and vehicle accidents also result in over 2 million injuries or disabilities. Car accidents in Huntington and other areas of West Virginia are almost always preventable, with over 90% of them being caused by human error.

When someone gets injured in an auto accident, it can become a life altering experience. These injuries can incur high economic costs with the medical bills and the days missed from work, but that is only part of the story. There are also the physical and emotional costs of the injury – not only to the victim, but to others in the household as well.

If you or someone close to you got injured or killed in a Huntington, WV car accident that was someone else’s fault, you have a right to be fully compensated. Unfortunately, insurance companies do not always pay an injury victim what they deserve. Their goal is to minimize their losses, which means paying you as little as possible for your injuries. To help ensure that your rights are fully protected, it is best to work with an experienced auto accident lawyer.

At the office of The Masters Law Firm, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll auto accident injuries can take on victims and their families, and we are here to provide strong legal guidance and moral support during this difficult time. For several decades, we have successfully represented clients who have been injured in car accidents in Huntington and throughout West Virginia. Our firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients, and we know what it takes to recover maximum compensation with even the most complex accident injury cases.

We routinely go up against well-funded adversaries such as large insurance companies, and we are not intimidated by their vast resources. We have the experience, knowledge, resources, and commitment to hold responsible parties fully accountable and secure the most favorable outcomes possible for our clients.

Common Reasons for Huntington, WV Car Accidents

As we talked about earlier, the vast majority of auto accidents are caused by some type of human error. Oftentimes, these accidents are due to negligence on the part of one or more of the drivers involved. Examples include:

• Speeding: Many motorists routinely exceed the speed limit, so much so that it almost seems like normal and acceptable behavior. However, there is a reason for the posted speed limits, and when we exceed them or drive too fast to safely navigate road conditions, it increases the chances of an auto accident.
• Aggressive/Reckless Driving: Some motorists drive aggressively because they are in a hurry or maybe for another reason, and sometimes this crosses the line into reckless driving. Examples of aggressive or reckless driving may include excessive speeding, tailgating, illegal or dangerous turns, illegal or dangerous passing maneuvers, and running stop signs or red lights.
• Drunk Driving: Alcohol is a factor in 40% of all fatal car accidents. This should come as very little surprise as it is well-known that intoxication significantly inhibits an individual’s ability to safely operate a vehicle. Still, a disturbing number of people continue to get behind the wheel after having too much to drink.
• Distracted Driving: Distraction is reported as a factor in approximately one out of every five auto accidents with injuries, but the number is probably much higher as many drivers do not admit to being distracted when the police are filling out the report. Texting is an especially dangerous distraction, because it pulls a driver’s attention completely away from the road, causing them to miss important details – like a car that enters their blind spot or a pedestrian crossing the road in front of them.
• Drowsy Driving: Drowsiness and fatigue while driving claims the lives of hundreds of individuals each year, but as is the case with distracted driving, the CDC believes that the real number could be closer to 6,000. Drowsy driving is especially common with commercial drivers who work for long hours, often during evenings and overnights.

There are some cases in which a third-party that was not directly involved in the accident shares some responsibility. Some examples of third parties that may be liable for a Huntington car accident include:

• The employer of a commercial driver.
• The owner of a vehicle who lends it to someone they know is unfit to drive.
• A mechanic or auto shop that did not properly repair or maintain the vehicle.
• A vehicle passenger who grabs the steering wheel or otherwise distracts the driver at the time of the crash.
• An establishment that serves alcohol to a driver who was clearly intoxicated.
• The manufacturer or distributor of a faulty vehicle or vehicle part that contributes to the accident.
• The party responsible for maintaining the roadways.

Pursuing a Huntington, WV Auto Accident Claim

When someone suffers an injury in a car accident in West Virginia, they may be entitled to damages not only for direct monetary losses such as medical bills, lost earnings, and vehicle damage, but also for noneconomic losses such as physical and emotional pain and suffering, diminished quality of life, disfigurement, and permanent injury. In more limited cases in which the actions of the party responsible for the accident were especially egregious, punitive damages may also be awarded as punishment for the wrongdoing and to help discourage behaviors like this in the future.

West Virginia uses a modified form of comparative negligence in personal injury cases, meaning that an injured party can still recover damages even if they are partially at fault for the underlying accident or event. Under our state’s comparative negligence laws, you are allowed to recover damages if you are found to be less than 50% responsible for the accident.

It is important to note, however, that the damage award you receive is reduced in proportion to the percentage of fault you share. For example, if your total losses add up to $100,000 and you are found to be 20% at fault, the damages would be reduced by $20,000, down to a total of $80,000.

Contact our Seasoned Huntington, WV Car Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one suffered injury in a vehicle accident in West Virginia, The Masters Law Firm is ready to go to work for you. To schedule your free consultation and case assessment with one of our attorneys, message us online or call our office today at 304-342-3106 or toll free at 1-800-342-3106.

We accept all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so you do not have to pay any attorney fees unless we win your case