Aggressive Car Accident Attorneys in Martinsburg
Home to about 15,000 people, the city of Martinsburg sits just an hour outside of Washington, D.C. With world-class geocaching, mountains, rivers, trails, and various historic sites, it provides residents and visitors with plenty to do all year long. Our historic main street offers ample shopping, dining, and entertainment all in a charming setting that harkens back to the city’s 18th century European-American roots.
Unfortunately, all of this activity also increases the risk of car accidents to people who live, work, and visit Martinsburg. As an accident victim, it is vital to understand the legal rights you have after being injured in a car wreck. Under state law, negligent drivers that cause accidents have a legal obligation to compensate victims for the losses they suffer. However, in many cases, insurance companies and at-fault parties make it as difficult as they can for victims to get the compensation they deserve.
This is where the legal team at Skinner Accident and Injury Lawyers come in. Our experienced lawyers know how to get insurance companies to pay what they should and will never hesitate to go to court to protect our clients’ rights. For additional information or to discuss the specifics of your case with a car accident attorney in Martinsburg, call our office today.
Are You Entitled to Compensation?
As mentioned above, if your accident was the result of someone else’s negligence, you will likely be able to recover compensation for any damages you sustained as a result of your accident. There are many examples of driver negligence that can lead to a serious car accident, including:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Ignoring adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, or ice
- Impaired driving
- Failure to adequately maintain a vehicle
- Failure to yield
- Traffic violations
Importantly, these are not the only kinds of negligence that can cause an accident, and you should never assume that an accident was unavoidable or your fault. In addition, car crashes can be caused by issues like road conditions or defective vehicle design or manufacture. The best way to ensure that the cause of your accident is identified and that you file a claim against all potentially liable parties is to discuss your case with an experienced car accident lawyer in Martinsburg as soon as you can.
Common Car Accident Injuries
There are many different types of severe injuries a person can sustain in a serious car accident. It is important to have a healthcare professional evaluate your injuries, as your prognosis can have a significant impact on the amount of compensation you can recover. Here are some of the most common injuries our Martinsburg auto accident attorneys come across in our injury law practice:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions
- Burns
- Severe soft tissue injuries
- Crush injuries
- Lacerations
- Internal injuries
After a car accident, it’s vital to seek medical attention immediately. In many cases, early medical intervention can result in a better outcome. Additionally, failing to seek medical attention can adversely affect any claim you assert in the future.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
There are certain steps that you should take after a car accident to ensure that you are able to obtain the compensation to which you are entitled under West Virginia law. Some of the most important include:
Calling 911
It’s a good idea to call 911 after any accident that involves property damage or injuries. When you call 911, it will ensure that police and medical personnel come to the scene and determine whether any laws were broken and whether anyone needs medical attention. If the police determine the accident was someone else’s fault, it can make it significantly easier to recover compensation.
See Your Doctor
You should make an appointment to see a physician after a car accident, even if you were discharged from the hospital or left the scene of the accident without treatment. When it comes time to make a claim, the insurance company will want to see medical records describing your injuries, and seeing a doctor will ensure that those records exist. Furthermore, be sure to go to your follow-up appointments, fill your prescriptions, and attend physical therapy, if it is prescribed.
Call a Lawyer
You should retain an attorney as soon as you can after an accident. Once you are represented by counsel, your lawyer will handle almost every aspect of your case on your behalf. In some cases, you might have to go in for a deposition or answer some written questions, but your lawyer will handle all other communications with the insurance company for you and advocate for a reasonable settlement. In the event that you are unable to reach a settlement, your attorney will likely file a lawsuit on your behalf to pursue recovery for your losses.
How Much is Your Car Accident Case Worth?
People who are injured in car accidents often experience significant economic and non-economic losses. When you’re hurt through no fault of your own and are dealing with unexpected medical bills and other expenses, it’s only natural to wonder how much compensation you may be able to recover. Under West Virginia law, you can recover compensation for both economic and non-economic accident-related losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Lost quality of life
- Property damage
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering
The value of your car accident claim will depend on a number of factors, including the extent and severity of your injuries, whether you can go back to work, the egregiousness of the other party’s conduct, and whether you were partially at fault for your accident. In cases involving long-term cognitive or physical disabilities, victims may be entitled to significant compensation for losses they will sustain in the future.
In these instances, victims often work with financial and actuarial experts in order to determine their future damages. Failing to do so could result in significant uncompensated losses. For this reason, if you have been involved in a car accident, make sure to discuss your case with a Martinsburg car accident law firm with the resources you need to successfully recover the compensation to which you are entitled under the law.
Call Us Today to Speak with a Martinsburg Car Accident Attorney
Here at the Skinner Accident and Injury Lawyers, our experienced Martinsburg car accident lawyers have helped many accident victims protect their legal rights and get the compensation they deserve. We have experience with all types of auto accidents and all types of injuries.
Our Martinsburg office is conveniently located at 261 Aikens Center, just north of downtown and easily accessible from Interstate 81.
Call (304) 725-7029 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney. We fight hard to protect your legal rights so you can focus on making the best recovery possible.
