Rear-End Accident Lawyer
in Charleston, WV
- How Warner Law Offices, PLLC Can Help if You’ve Been in a Rear-End Collision
- Should I Get a Lawyer for a Rear-End Car Accident?
- How much is my rear-end car accident settlement worth?
- Who Is At Fault in a Rear-End Collision in West Virginia?
- What Causes Most Rear-End Collisions?
- Common Rear-End Car Accident Injuries
- How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a rear-end car accident in West Virginia?
- Respected Rear-End Accident Lawyers Ready to Help You
- Related Reading
- Meet Our Attorneys
Have you recently been rear-ended or involved in a rear-end collision in Charleston, West Virginia? You may be able to recover compensation for the costs of your medical care, emotional distress, and loss of income. The experienced rear-end accident lawyers at Warner Law Offices, PLLC can help you work toward a meaningful financial award.
Since 2000, our law firm has been a fierce advocate for victims of car accidents throughout West Virginia and the surrounding states. We’re top-rated, nationally recognized trial attorneys with a proven ability to take on tough defendants and win big for our clients.
Our results speak for themselves: We’ve won tens of millions of dollars in car accident settlements and jury awards.
Give yourself the best opportunity to win your case and maximize your compensation. Call the experienced Charleston, WV car accident lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a member of our skilled legal team.
How Warner Law Offices, PLLC Can Help if You’ve Been in a Rear-End Collision
What caused your rear-end collision? How can you prove that someone else is at fault? What kind of evidence will you need to make your case? What can you do when the insurance company tries to turn the tables and blame you?
Contrary to popular belief, rear-end car accidents aren’t always open-and-shut cases. They can be incredibly complicated, and you can bet that the at-fault driver and their insurance company will fight you as you seek compensation.
If you want to win your case, it’s smart to put an experienced and skilled legal advocate in your corner. That’s where our West Virginia personal injury lawyers can help.
The insurance company will try to manipulate you into accepting less money than your rear-end car accident claim is worth. We won’t let them. Our award-winning West Virginia trial attorneys have been challenging insurance companies across the state for decades. We have the experience, resources, and skills needed to make a meaningful and genuine impact on your case, and ultimately get the insurer (and/or at-fault party) to pay for the harm you’ve suffered.
Give yourself time to recover from your injuries while our team takes care of:
- Investigating your rear-end collision in Charleston
- Uncovering the specific cause(s) of your wreck and identifies who’s at fault
- Gathering evidence, including medical records, police reports, toxicology reports, witness statements, photographs, property damage, and video footage
- Enlisting the assistance of accident reconstructionist, medical professionals, financial specialists, and other experts
- Preparing and submits necessary claims, demand letters, and documents on your behalf
- Handling negotiations with the insurance company and at-fault parties
- Preparing to bring your case to trial in Kanawha County if you’re not offered a respectable settlement
Our law firm is here to help you move forward after your rear-end collision and will fight to ensure that you’re properly compensated for your injuries and suffering.
- 20+ Years of Experience
- Award Winning Law Firm
- No Fees Unless You Win
- Millions Won For Our Clients
Should I Get a Lawyer for a Rear-End Car Accident?
All car accidents can be overwhelming. After being rear-ended, you may be left wondering, “Should I get a lawyer for a rear-end car accident?” The simple answer is yes. It’s smart to hire a car accident lawyer, even if you think that your rear-end car accident is pretty straightforward.
West Virginia has fault-based insurance rules, which means that you’ll be able to file a claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company after a rear-end crash. Of course, the at-fault driver’s insurance company won’t have your best interests at heart. They’ll try to find any reason to deny your claim or shift blame to reduce how much money you’re awarded.
Auto insurance companies in West Virginia handle thousands of claims every day. They know the claims process well, and they know how to manipulate it to work in their favor. Hiring an attorney is the single best way to level the playing field and give yourself the best shot at a meaningful financial recovery.
Why Choose Warner Law Offices to Handle Your West Virginia Rear-End Car Accident Lawsuit?
At Warner Law Offices, founder Bobby Warner and our award-winning West Virginia rear-end accident attorneys are known for their aggressive advocacy and dedication to justice. We have developed a strong reputation for securing high-value settlements and verdicts for our clients.
When you work with our legal team, we will level the playing field with big auto insurance companies and put you in the best position to secure full and fair compensation. Our glowing client reviews speak for themselves.
How much is my rear-end car accident settlement worth?
In West Virginia, you can generally recover economic and non-economic damages after a rear-end wreck with generous time needed to settle a rear-end accident claim. Economic damages make up for financial losses related to your collision, while non-economic awards compensate for the unexpected life changes you experience as a crash victim.
This can include money for:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Physical therapy
- Disfigurement
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Inconvenience
If your rear-end car accident case makes it to trial, a Kanawha County jury could also decide that punitive damages should be awarded. These are typically reserved for rear-end collisions where the at-fault driver’s conduct is clearly intentional or grossly negligent.
Even though the types of damages that can be awarded are fairly standard, there’s no standard settlement for car accidents in West Virginia. Every case is unique.
Many factors will impact the amount of money you might be able to recover through an insurance claim or lawsuit such as:
- The specific types of injuries you sustained
- How the crash and resulting injuries have affected your ability to work
- Whether your own negligence was a contributing factor to the wreck
- Available insurance benefits and policy limits
As a general rule of thumb, cases are valued highest when injuries are catastrophic and life changing.
However, the Charleston, WV personal injury attorney you hire can also have a profound impact on the value of your car accident case. Warner Law Offices, PLLC has been recognized as one of the Best Law Firms in America by Rue Ratings and Best Law Firm in the Valley by Charleston newspapers. Why? Our client satisfaction and proven ability to win can’t be beaten.
We represent clients throughout West Virginia and surrounding states. Contact us to discover how we can help you make the most of your rear-end car accident claim.
Who Is At Fault in a Rear-End Collision in West Virginia?
The rear driver is most often found to be at fault in rear-end collisions. West Virginia law states that drivers must not follow other vehicles more closely than is reasonably safe. Specifically, the governing statute provides as follows:
“The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.”
More generally, West Virginia law requires drivers to exercise due care when operating a motor vehicle. This includes avoiding distractions that could impair their driving. A distracted driver may fail to slow down in time because they were texting, reading an email, eating, or doing something else that took their eyes off the road. If they cause a rear-end collision as a result, they could be responsible for damages.
When Is a Rear-End Accident Not Your Fault?
Importantly, though the following driver is typically at fault in rear-end collisions, that is not always the case. Sometimes, leading drivers also make poor decisions that result in a crash. For example, the following behavior may lead to liability for leading driver in rear-end collisions:
- Brake checking
- Sudden or abrupt stops
- Changing lanes without proper signaling
- Blocking the rear driver from passing
- Backing into a vehicle without looking
- Failing to maintain their brakes properly
If you were involved in a rear-end crash, speak with our West Virginia rear-end accident attorneys to learn more about your legal rights and options. We can conduct a thorough investigation of your case to determine liability and build a strong personal injury claim on your behalf.
What If I am Partially at Fault for the Rear End Collision Accident?
Again, both the leading and following driver can be at fault for a rear-end car accident. West Virginia uses a modified comparative fault system that assigns a percentage of fault to the involved parties in an accident. This system allows rear-end accident victims to recover damages, even if they share some fault.
Under the modified comparative fault system, if you are 50 percent or more at fault for the rear-end crash, you cannot recover damages. However, your damages will simply be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault below 50 percent. For example, if you were 10 percent responsible for an accident in which you suffered $1 million in damages, you could recover $900,000.
Our experienced rear-end accident law firm in West Virginia can help you navigate the legal system by gathering evidence, proving negligence, and helping you claim the full extent of your damages. When the at-fault driver tries to unfairly blame you, we are ready to push back hard.
What Causes Most Rear-End Collisions?
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 2,949 fatal rear-end collisions and 475,774 rear-end crashes that led to injuries nationwide in 2021. Numerous factors increase the risk of a rear-end collision, including:
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Merging unsafely
- Failing to stop at yellow and red lights
- Road rage
- Drunk driving
- Road defects
- Mechanical failures
- Poor weather conditions
Common Rear-End Car Accident Injuries
Even at low speeds, rear-end collisions can cause serious, potentially life-changing injuries, including:
- Whiplash Injuries
- Neck injuries in West Virginia
- Slipped discs and herniated discs
- Spinal fracture
- Other back injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Nerve damage
- Concussion
- Broken bones
- Facial injury
- Eye injury
- Seat belt injury
- Chest injury
- Burn injuries in West Virginia
- Shoulder injury
- Knee injury
Every year, thousands of rear-end collisions are fatal, too.
If you’ve been injured or lost a close family member in a rear-end crash in West Virginia, reach out to Warner Law Offices, PLLC for help. Our Charleston car accident attorneys can help you understand your legal options and work toward a meaningful financial recovery.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a rear-end car accident in West Virginia?
After a rear-end collision, the car accident statute of limitations in West Virginia outline a time limit of two years to file a claim for damages.
It’s important to get a jumpstart on your car accident case. Once the statute of limitations runs out, you will give up the right to seek compensation for your rear-end crash injuries.
Respected Rear-End Accident Lawyers Ready to Help You
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a rear-end collision, our rear-end accident lawyers in Charleston, WV, can help you pursue justice, accountability, and compensation. Our full-service personal injury law firm has won tens of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Let us put our experience and expertise to work for you.
Call (304) 345-6789 or reach our online to schedule your free consultation with our team. We proudly defend the rights of injury victims in Charleston and throughout West Virginia.
Related Reading
Learn more about your rights after a West Virginia car accident by reviewing these resources prepared by our knowledgeable attorneys:
- How to Avoid Rear-End Collisions
- 5 Steps To Take Following a Crash
- Fight These Common Insurance Company Tricks
- West Virginia Car Accident Statute of Limitations
- What Type of Damages Can West Virginians Receive
- Proving Liability After a Car Accident
- Four Things to Consider When Hiring a West Virginia Car Accident Lawyer
- Protect Your Rights After a Distracted Driving Car Accident
- Should I Get a Lawyer For a Minor Car Accident?
- Car Accidents & Children: What You Need to Know
Consultation
Charleston, WV 25301
Bobby has received many accolades throughout the years from both his peers in the legal community, as well as the media. The National Trial Lawyers association named Bobby a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and he has been selected as a Member of the Nation’s Top One Percent. Additionally, he has been named a Best Attorneys of America by Rue Ratings, which also named Warner Law Offices to its Best Law Firms of America.
We represent clients across West Virginia and surrounding areas, providing compassionate client service and relentless advocacy in and out of the courtroom.
Call us 304-345-6789 or
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