Before boarding the Titan submersible vessel to view the wreck of the Titanic, the ill-fated passengers signed a waiver exempting the parent company, Oceangate, from liability for injury, death and emotional trauma. However, when the pilot and passengers were tragically killed when the vessel imploded, CBS news raised the question: in spite of the waiver, could the families of the victims still sue Oceangate for the emotional trauma caused by the death of their loved ones?   Emotional trauma often remains overshadowed by physical injuries in personal injury cases. While broken bones ..read more

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there were 280 fatal car accidents in West Virginia in 2021. With vast rural areas, icy winter conditions and winding roads, the risk of a crash is prevalent in the Mountain State.  In West Virginia, comparative negligence is a legal principle used to determine how much each party is at fault for an accident. Unlike some states that follow a “contributory negligence” rule, where even a small amount of fault can prevent a person from receiving any compensation, West Virginia employs a more lenient “modified comparative negligence” system ..read more

If you live in North Central West Virginia, its nearly impossible not to travel on Interstate 79 at some point during your week.  Whether you are driving to Morgantown to enjoy a sporting event, Fairmont for a weekend concert at Palatine Park, or Clarksburg for a delicious dinner, you will likely travel on North Central West Virginia’s main interstate. Over the last several months there have been multiple car accidents on Interstate 79 between Clarksburg and Morgantown.  Ongoing construction and fast driving have contributed to many of the recent wrecks along within inattentive and c ..read more

Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous types of driver errors. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,522 people lost their lives in accidents involving distracted drivers in 2021. Many different things can distract a motor vehicle driver enough to cause a car accident. Driver distractions fall into three main categories. Visual Distraction A visual distraction can refer to anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road. If a driver is looking at something other than the roadway in front of the car, it is considered a visual distraction. These dis ..read more

Seat belts save lives. You have heard this stated by many safety institutions, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Yet, in some cases, seat belts are what cause injuries. While the injuries inflicted by a seat belt may not be as severe as those the restraint system prevented, they can still be serious and painful. After a car accident, you may be able to recover compensation if you were injured by your seat belt. Why Do Seat Belt Injuries Occur? Seat belt injuries, also known as seat belt syndrome, refer to damage caused to a car accident victim by forces transmitted fr ..read more

Car accidents can be frightening and overwhelming experiences. In West Virginia, it’s important to know what to do in the event of an accident. Here are some things you should do after a car accident in West Virginia. 1: Check for Injuries The first thing you should do after a car accident is to check yourself and others for injuries. If there are injuries, call 911 immediately. Even if no one looks injured, it’s still a good idea to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some injuries aren’t always immediately apparent and can develop over time. 2: Exchange Information Exchange informati ..read more

A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a potential type of injury that could be suffered by a victim in a car accident, slip and fall, and a variety of other incidents. The brain is a complex organ that can suffer many types of injuries. Although each patient is unique, the type of TBI can determine the patient’s prognosis for recovery and outlook for the future. Concussion A concussion is one of the most common types of TBIs. It is caused by a bump, jolt or blow to the head. Concussions can be mild, moderate or severe. It is often said, however, that there is no such thing as a minor brain inju ..read more

Construction is one of the deadliest industries in the United States. Construction sites have many elements that make them dangerous for both workers and the public. Working from heights, using power tools and operating heavy machinery are just a few examples of the dangers faced at the average construction site. Learn the top causes of serious and fatal accidents in construction to help avoid these disasters. Lack of Fall Protection In 2020, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported that 976 workplace deaths occurred in construction and extraction occupations. This rep ..read more

Construction projects in West Virginia must be completed with the utmost care and in accordance with high standards established in the industry. If any regulation or rule is broken during the construction of a building, the final product could contain dangerous and even deadly defects. When a construction defect causes injuries or requires costly repairs, multiple parties could be held responsible for damages. General Contractors or Subcontractors The first possibility is a contractor or subcontractor for subpar work. A general contractor is someone a property owner hires to carry out a constr ..read more

T-bone accidents are some of the most devastating motor vehicle collisions. If you or your loved one has been injured in a T-bone car accident in West Virginia, you will need to determine liability before you can file a car insurance claim and seek financial compensation for your losses. These cases can be complicated depending on the circumstances. You may need a car accident attorney to investigate for you. What Is a T-Bone Car Accident? A T-bone car accident is a type of motor vehicle crash where the front of one vehicle connects with the side of another. The mechanics of these accidents ar ..read more