Charleston Attorneys Fight for Victims of Rear-End Collisions

Get experienced help from car accident lawyers in West Virginia

Car and truck accidents occur every day, caused by simple mistakes and all types of negligent behavior, from speeding to drunken driving. A very common accident is a rear-end collision, often caused by tailgating or driver distraction. It can also be the result of a vehicle stopping short, leaving the vehicle following without enough room to stop. Depending on the velocity, size and weight of the vehicles involved, such accidents can cause severe injuries and even death. From our Charleston, WV office, The Giatras Law Firm, PLLC takes on drivers who cause rear-end collisions, holding them accountable for the damage they do. Our deep understanding of these types of accident and of West Virginia liability law, combined with our decades of courtroom experience, helps us deliver demonstrable positive results for our clients.

Injuries that are more likely in rear-end collisions

Because of the nature of a rear impact, even a seemingly minor fender bender can cause bodily harm. Vehicle occupants involved in a rear-end crash are more prone to certain injuries when the impact comes from behind. Common examples are:

• Whiplash — A violent, sudden movement of the head and neck can damage the soft tissue, resulting in pain and soreness in the neck and spine.
• Back and neck injuries — An impact from behind can damage spinal discs or bone, resulting in pain that can be debilitating for an extensive time period. Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis.
• Head injuries — A crash can cause the driver and passengers to hit their heads on different parts of the vehicle’s interior, even if the airbags deploy. Anything from a mild concussion to a traumatic brain injury can result.
• Knee injuries — A rear-end impact can force the driver’s knee into the lower part of the dashboard, resulting in joint damage.

In many cases, rear-end accident injuries are difficult to diagnose but can have long-lasting, disabling consequences. A skilled auto accident attorney can work with medical experts who have experience analyzing the harm that results from these collisions.

Determining fault under West Virginia comparative negligence law

In West Virginia, how much each party is at fault for an accident determines their share of financial responsibility for losses stemming from the crash. If you are 10 percent at fault, you are entitled to recover 90 percent of your claimed damages from the at-fault driver. Each percentage point means a difference in the amount of your recovery, so our personal injury attorneys work hard to assess and allocate fault to the maximum advantage of our clients.

Whether you file a claim under your own insurance policy or against the policy of the at-fault driver, the insurer will likely offer less compensation than you are due or try to force you to settle your claim quickly before you’ve had a chance to fully review it. An early settlement may preclude you from obtaining compensation for medical expenses or other economic losses that are not yet finalized. We negotiate with insurers and their counsel to counter such tactics and, where necessary, will file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Our lawyers will build a powerful case to demonstrate who is at fault and to what extent, making sure your rights are protected.

Get help if you have been hit from behind in West Virginia

With more than 30 years of courtroom experience, The Giatras Law Firm, PLLC helps hold negligent drivers accountable for damage they cause in rear-end collisions. Our team fights to reimburse you for your medical and other costs and to compensate you for your pain and suffering. Call our dedicated attorneys in Charleston, WV at 888-819-1281 or contact us online.