Frequently Asked Questions

Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers have spent decades assisting injured Charles Town residents in all types of accidents, including serious crashes involving buses. Bus accident claims can arise from collisions with charter coaches, public transportation buses, and even school buses. These cases are often more complex than standard vehicle accidents because they may involve government entities, large transportation companies, and multiple insurance carriers. Establishing liability, gathering evidence, and choosing the correct type of claim all require careful legal guidance. Below...

After a major collision with a commercial truck, it’s best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. The size and weight of these vehicles often cause severe damage and injuries. The legal process can also be complex, since multiple parties such as the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, and the maintenance provider may share responsibility for the crash. At Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers, we have spent decades representing injury victims in Charles Town and across...

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, the last thing on your mind may be filing a personal injury claim. The shock, stress, and physical pain following a crash can be overwhelming, especially when injuries are serious. While a motor vehicle accident claim cannot undo the accident or your injuries, it can help cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The steps you take immediately after your accident are critical to the strength of your claim. Your...

Yes, hiring a car accident attorney is worth it, especially after a serious crash. After an accident, it can be difficult to know what to do first. Medical appointments, car repairs, and time off work can quickly become overwhelming. Many people try to handle their own claim, only to realize how complex insurance negotiations and liability laws can be. At Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers, our car accident attorneys in Charles Town, WV, assist clients in recovering both physically and...

It is very much worth it to hire a personal injury lawyer. A serious accident can leave you facing mounting medical bills, emotional stress, and life-changing injuries. Managing these challenges while navigating a personal injury claim can feel overwhelming. This is where a skilled personal injury attorney can make a real difference. At Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers, our experienced team has been supporting families across Charles Town and the surrounding areas for over 50 years. We understand the financial...

It’s crucial to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a dog bite or animal attack. Dog bites can cause painful injuries, emotional trauma, and unexpected financial strain. Victims often face medical treatment, scarring, and time away from work while trying to recover. At Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers, our experienced dog bite attorneys in Charles Town, West Virginia, have served the people of this state since 1969. We combine decades of experience with a personal, compassionate approach...

Slips and falls can occur almost anywhere, which is why they remain one of the most common types of personal injury claims in the United States. They are second only to motor vehicle accident cases. Charles Town has busy streets, restaurants, grocery stores, parking lots, and a variety of workplaces, all of which are frequent locations for serious and unexpected falls. Falls can lead to serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, back injuries, and fractures. In severe cases, a...

Charles Town has a rich history, a vibrant arts scene, and events happening throughout the year. For a small city, a lot is going on. This means that areas like Washington Street and George Street are often busy with pedestrians. People walking through these areas must navigate regular vehicle traffic, and unfortunately, this combination can lead to serious accidents. Pedestrians have very little physical protection, so when a collision occurs, the resulting injuries can be severe or even fatal. If...

With numerous community-tracked motorcycle routes, Charles Town has a busy local riding community. For many residents, motorcycling is their main mode of transportation. While there are plenty of benefits, including cost-effectiveness and fuel efficiency, the reality is that riders have very little physical protection on the road. Motorcycle accidents are relatively common in the region, and they can cause serious injuries and, in the worst cases, fatalities. If you or a family member has been involved in a crash, you...

Charles Town offers scenic routes that attract recreational cyclists, and many residents rely on their bikes as a primary mode of transportation to stay healthy and reduce their environmental impact. However, certain areas of the city, particularly along Washington Street and George Street, can be hazardous when traffic is heavy or when drivers are inattentive. Safety gear is important, but it cannot fully protect cyclists from the force of a collision with a car or larger vehicle. A serious bicycle...

The bros at Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers serve the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and communities in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia. The law firm has three offices across these states: A law office in Charles Town, WV (Jefferson County) A law office in Martinsburg, WV (Berkeley County) A law office in the independent city of Winchester, VA Let’s explore these areas of West Virginia and Virginia in more detail and discuss the type of cases our attorneys can...

A motorcycle ride through the scenic routes of Jefferson County offers a sense of freedom that few other experiences can match. However, that freedom comes with significant vulnerability. When a negligent driver fails to check their blind spot or yields the right of way, the results for a rider are often life-altering. If you have been injured, you are likely facing mounting medical bills, physical pain, and the stress of being unable to work. At Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers,...

To receive compensation for pain and suffering, you’ll need to: Gather relevant medical documentation Compile supporting evidence such as photos and witness testimony File a claim with your insurance provider Speak with a personal injury lawyer It’s also important to understand what “pain and suffering” means in the context of accident claims. Let’s discuss the meaning of pain and suffering. We’ll also look at other kinds of compensation you can receive following a serious accident. If you’ve been hurt and...

A law firm that’s well-qualified to handle semi-truck accident litigation will typically have these qualities: Experience working on trucking accident claims Knowledge of federal commercial trucking regulations Knowledge of complex insurance laws Resources to take on trucking companies and other powerful interests Access to accident investigators and expert witnesses A record of going to trial, particularly for 18-wheeler cases Our law firm can help people who are searching for a semi-truck accident lawyer in West Virginia. The bros at Skinner...

Some of the key qualities that set Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers apart from other Charles Town, WV law firms include: The bros have decades of combined legal experience We’ve won more than $100 million for clients over the years We offer free and confidential legal consultations We operate on a contingency fee basis (you only pay if we win) We can travel to meet you if you’re seriously hurt Our firm has served the area since 1969 Attorneys Stephen...

Yes, personal injury law firms will look at physical harm as well as financial losses that were caused by an accident or act of negligence. Personal injury and wrongful death lawyers will account for a combination of economic and non-economic losses you experienced, and this will determine the amount of compensation sought in a case. Let’s look at examples of physical harm and financial loss after an accident. We’ll then note some other kinds of damages a person can seek...

When lawyers take small caseloads, clients experience the following benefits: Close attention and direct communication from the attorney A much stronger attorney-client relationship Customized legal strategies based on your needs An ability to adapt quickly as situations in a case change A better chance of maximizing the value of your claim Greater accountability from the attorney you’re working with This is why it’s a good idea to find attorneys near you who won’t treat you like you’re just a number. ...

At Skinner Accident & Injury Lawyers, we work very hard to get our clients a speedy and just resolution because we know our clients ultimately just want to get back to their regular routine as soon as possible. A lot of the time, reasonable minds prevail and we are able to get our clients well compensated through a negotiated settlement. However, our clients are occasionally injured by people or companies who deny responsibility, or worse, who attempt to cover up...

If you are in an auto accident, then the most important thing is to stay calm and pay attention to your surroundings.  Don’t put yourself in more danger.  If you or someone else is hurt, then call 911. This auto accident Q&A covers some situations you may encounter after an auto accident collision: Q:  Do I need to call the police? A:  Yes, the police should be called.  An official police accident record can help preserve some facts about the...

“Will I have to go to trial?” is a question we get pretty regularly as well. The answer is, I don’t know. We are going to treat every case as if it could go to trial. That means we’re going to put the necessary resources into it, whether that means hiring experts, investigators, and taking depositions. We don’t know whether a particular case is going to need to go to trial, but we always act like it will. Having said...

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Underinsurance is the single most important automobile insurance coverage that you can get. To understand underinsurance, you need to understand liability insurance. This is the insurance that the other person, the one who caused the wreck, has. It’s what will be used to pay your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. But if they don’t have enough coverage—for instance, if they only have the state minimums—then you may face a shortfall. For example, if the other...

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Med Pay, or Medical Payments, is a type of automobile insurance coverage that you may have purchased when you signed up for your insurance. Med Pay doesn’t consider who was at fault in the accident; it only matters that someone was injured in a wreck. It can be used to pay for medical bills resulting from the accident. Some states, such as Maryland, have something similar called PIP, or Personal Injury Protection. If you have auto insurance based in Maryland,...

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Getting medical care after an injury is crucial. Let me give you three reasons why getting that medical care is important: First and foremost, it helps you get better. When you have a doctor, physical therapist, chiropractor, or other medical professionals prescribing medicines or providing therapy, it aids in healing your injuries. That’s the single most important reason to get that care. Secondly, it serves as proof that you are injured. Let’s say you have a concussion. No one can...

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I understand the impulse to hop on Instagram and tell everyone you were just in a car wreck, but I don’t think that’s the greatest idea. In an ideal world, you wouldn’t post on Facebook, Instagram, or any other social media about an injury that occurred due to someone else’s fault. Here’s why: When you inform your friends and family that you’re okay, the other side—the insurance company for the other driver who caused the wreck—will likely get a snapshot...

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