Beckley Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck Accident Attorney In Beckley, WV

On West Virginia roadways, 18-wheeler trucks are vital to the economy of both the state and the nation overall. However, due to their enormous size and significant mass, they pose a huge risk to other drivers, and any accidents they cause can lead to severe harm for those in the smaller vehicle. Unfortunately, these accidents are all too common along busy roadways, like West Virginia Route 16 and U.S. Route 19. If you have been injured, a Beckley, WV, truck accident lawyer can represent you.

Trust Meadows Law PLLC Today

At Meadows Law PLLC, we are passionate about providing each one of our clients with the personalized legal attention they deserve. In truck accident cases, our mission is to defend and protect our clients’ right to compensation, no matter the extent of the damages they have suffered. Over our many years of service, we have won hundreds of thousands of dollars for our clients, and now we can turn our time, attention, and experience to your case.

Common Types of Truck Accidents in Beckley, WV

Every year, around 72.4% of all American freight is transported using commercial trucks, such as 18-wheelers, making these vehicles familiar sights on the roadway. Unfortunately, in 2022 alone, over 76,000 people nationwide were injured in accidents involving these vehicles. Large commercial trucks can cause devastating damage because of their nature, and these accidents can even lead to fatalities.

In Beckley, WV, these accidents are all too common. At Meadows Law PLLC, we have seen countless clients come into our offices after suffering in truck accidents, such as:

• Jackknife accidents. When the trailer of a truck swings out at a sharp angle, usually at 90 degrees to the cab of the truck, it can cause a jackknife accident. These incidents are typically the result of sudden braking, the driver losing control of their vehicle, or slick roads due to ice, rain, or snow. Jackknife accidents can create massive roadway hazards and even block multiple lanes of traffic, leading to pileups.
• Rollover accidents. When a truck loses its balance and tips over onto its roof or side, this is known as a rollover accident. These usually happen as a result of speeding, taking turns too sharply or quickly, or drivers making aggressive maneuvers with their vehicles. These can be especially dangerous for smaller vehicles surrounding the truck, which may be crushed underneath the massive vehicle.
• Rear-end wrecks. When the front end of your car impacts the rear end of a commercial truck, the damage is devastating. Typically, these are often caused by distracted driving or sudden braking by the truck driver. In some of these accidents, an underride collision might also occur, where the smaller vehicle becomes trapped beneath the trailer of the commercial truck.
• Sideswipe accidents. These take place when the side of a commercial truck hits the side of any vehicle that is traveling alongside it, typically in a parallel manner. These accidents are usually the result of changing lanes without giving proper notice, misjudging the width of lanes, and not checking blind spots.
• Head-on collisions. These are the most dangerous and fatal of all truck accident types, and they happen when the front end of a commercial truck strikes the front end of another vehicle. These accidents are often the result of impaired driving, driving fatigued, or swerving into a lane of oncoming traffic to bypass a hazard in the roadway.
• Cargo spills. When the cargo of a truck becomes unsecured, debris can fall into the roadway and block the path of other vehicles. Likewise, unsecured cargo may shift in transit, increasing the risk for jackknife or rollover accidents.

It is important to understand the kind of accident you have suffered, as this will help your personal injury attorney in Beckley determine its cause, which will then point to a liable party.

FAQs

What Injuries Are Most Common in Truck Accidents?

Many different injuries can arise from a truck accident in Beckley, WV. The most common include:

• Whiplash and other injuries affecting the neck
• Fractured, broken, or dislocated bones
• Amputations
• Severe burn injuries
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Nerve damage
• Internal bleeding
• Internal organ damage
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Paralysis
• Death

What Are the Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Across the United States, overloaded trucks and cargo account for 65% of all fatal traffic collisions. Other common causes of truck accidents can include:

• Defective or poorly maintained truck parts
• Poor road or weather conditions
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Fatigued or drowsy driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Are There Certain Steps I Should Take After a Truck Accident?

Yes, after a truck accident in West Virginia, you should take several steps to protect your own safety and the viability of any future compensation claims. First, move yourself to a safe place, and call for both the police and emergency medical services. You will also want to collect evidence from the scene if you can, including photos of your injuries and the site of the accident itself. Then, contact a skilled Beckley truck accident attorney.

Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?

The likelihood that your truck accident case will go before a judge and jury is slim. A vast majority of personal injury cases are actually resolved through settlement negotiations with the insurance companies before having to go to court. However, if the opposing parties refuse to negotiate, then a trial may become necessary, and your attorney can represent you throughout this process.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer Serving West Virginia

If you or a loved one has been injured by a trucking accident in Beckley, you need to hire a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. The state’s truck accident laws do not allow a lot of time to file these cases, and evidence can degrade quickly. At Meadows Law PLLC, we can meet with you and begin working on recovering your damages right away. Contact our offices today to schedule a consultation with our team. We can secure your rightful compensation and seek justice.