Commercial Truck & Big Rig Accident Lawyers in Huntington, WV

Huntington, West Virginia is located on the Ohio River about an hour west of Charleston. It is the county seat of Cabell County and the second largest city in WV with a population of around 50,000. Huntington is also the largest city in the Tri-State (WV-KY-OH) Metro area, which has a population of more than 350,000 people.

Huntington sees a lot of commercial trucks that come through. With three Walmart Supercenters nearby (one in Barboursville, one in Huntington, and one across the river), and countless shopping centers along E US Hwy 60 / 5th Ave, there’s no shortage of big rigs driving around here. The area is also a major industrial center that serves the coal, steel, oil, and chemical industries. Because of this, the area sees more than its fair share of specialized trucks that carry these various commodities.

Located in the western foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the roads in the Huntington area can be very difficult to navigate, especially in the wintertime. And when truck drivers are not as careful as they should be, there is a greater risk of a big rig accident.

If you or someone close to you has been injured in a truck accident in Huntington, WV, or a nearby area, you may have a right to significant compensation. Trucking accident cases are not as straightforward as standard auto accidents, however, because there are several parties that could be at fault, and there are numerous laws and regulations that govern the industry.

After you have received the medical attention you need, whether it was at Cabell Huntington Hospital, St Mary’s Medical Center, Valley Health East Huntington, or another nearby hospital, your next call should be to the experienced West Virginia truck accident lawyers at Bailey, Javins, and Carter L.C.

For more than five decades, we have been standing up for accident injury victims in the Mountain State, and we have a successful track record with even the most complex cases. We work closely with our clients, and we will look at every potential legal avenue in order to ensure that they receive the full and fair compensation they deserve.

Truck Accident Injury Statistics

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS):

• Large truck crash fatalities account for approximately 11% of all traffic-related deaths.
• 67% of individuals killed in truck crashes are occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles.
• 15% of those that are killed in truck accidents are motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
• Nearly three out of every four deaths in large truck accidents were crashes that involved tractor-trailers, while just over one in four involved single-unit trucks.
• 34% of large truck accident fatalities occurred on interstates and freeways, 51% occurred on major roads (other than interstates and freeways), and just 15% occurred on minor roads.
• The most common type of trucking accident is a head-on collision.
• The most common driver-related factors that contribute to a truck crash are speeding, distracted driving, and chemical impairment.
• Tire defects are a contributing factor in approximately 30% of all large truck crashes.

Trucking Accidents in Huntington, WV

Several of the most dangerous intersections in the region have been identified in the Tri-State Crossing area. These are all in high-traffic locations where there are major shopping centers such as Walmart and Sam’s. Some of the most hazardous intersections in Huntington include:

• Hal Greer Boulevard and Ninth Avenue, which has been a site of crashes caused by mistimed traffic lights.

• Interstate 64 (I-64) and US 52 near Kiwanis Park.

• Interstate 64 (I-64) and 5^th Street Rd/152 near Mountwest Community Technical College.

• US 527 and US 60 near downtown Huntington.

A crash with a big rig truck at one of these or another area intersection can leave you with moderate to severe injuries. But in some cases, the injuries are not felt right away because of the adrenaline rush that occurs after being involved in an accident or a similarly traumatic event.

Whether you are feeling anything or not, you should always get looked at right away after a crash just to be on the safe side.

How Can a Huntington, WV Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help Me?

You will most likely be dealing with large insurance carriers whose goal is to minimize the amount of damages they have to pay out for your injuries. This is why it pays to work with a legal team that has in-depth experience successfully pursuing truck accident claims.

Here are just a few of the ways that our Huntington, WV truck accident attorneys will assist you with your legal claim:

• Perform an extensive investigation. As soon as we take your case, we will go to work to thoroughly investigate the crash and identify all factors that may have caused or contributed to it.

• Explore all of your legal options. Based on the results of our investigation, we will look at every party that may have played a role in causing your injuries and prepare to file a claim against each one. For example, if the accident was the trucker’s fault, then their employer is also likely to be responsible. Or if the cargo/shipping company improperly loaded the truck in their haste to get it back out on the road, then they may hold some responsibility for the crash as well. An auto part manufacturer could be on the hook if defective tires, faulty brakes, or another vehicle defect contributed to the crash.

• Deal with the other side and fight for maximum compensation. After we accept the case, you will no longer have to worry about dealing with the other side. We will take over negotiations and take care of all the other complicated legal tasks, so you can focus on getting recovered from your injuries. Our extensive investigation and legal knowledge will allow us to negotiate from a position of strength, making it more likely that the other side will give you a fair offer. If they are not willing to be reasonable, however, we will not hesitate to pursue damages through litigation if this turns out to be the most viable path forward.

• Provide professional advice and legal counsel. Throughout the entire legal process, we will communicate with you regularly and keep you updated on how things are going. We will also provide you with critical advice about what to do and what not to do while your case is ongoing, and we are always available to address any questions or concerns that you may have.

Coal Truck Accident Attorneys in West Virginia

West Virginia’s economy has long been tied to the coal industry, and with that comes the significant presence of coal trucks on its roads.

While essential for transportation, coal trucks in West Virginia can be incredibly dangerous in an accident due to their immense size and weight. When a coal truck accident occurs, the consequences for those in smaller vehicles or on foot can be devastating. This is where coal truck accident attorneys in West Virginia play a crucial role.

The Dangers of Coal Truck Accidents

Coal trucks, often carrying thousands of pounds of material, pose unique hazards. Their large blind spots, long stopping distances, and potential for driver fatigue or negligence can lead to severe collisions.

Coal truck accidents in West Virginia can result in catastrophic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, internal organ damage, severe burns, and even wrongful death. Coal truck accident injuries in West Virginia require extensive and long-term medical care, leading to substantial financial burdens for victims and their families.

Understanding Liability in Coal Truck Accidents

Determining who is at fault in a coal truck accident can be complex. Unlike typical car accidents, multiple parties might share responsibility. These can include:

• The Truck Driver: For negligence such as speeding, distracted driving, fatigued driving, or driving under the influence.
• The Trucking Company: For negligent hiring practices, inadequate driver training, pressuring drivers to violate hours-of-service regulations, or failing to properly maintain their fleet.
• The Coal Company: If they own or operate the trucks and were negligent in their operation or maintenance.
• The Truck Manufacturer or Parts Manufacturer: If a defective part contributed to the accident.
• Maintenance or Repair Facilities: If improper maintenance or repairs led to a mechanical failure.

An experienced coal truck accident attorney will conduct a thorough investigation to identify all potentially liable parties and gather the necessary evidence to build a strong case.

What Coal Truck Accident Attorneys Do

Coal truck accident attorneys in West Virginia  provide critical legal support to victims. Their services typically include:

• Thorough Investigation: This involves collecting evidence such as accident reports, driver logs, maintenance records, black box data from the truck, witness statements, and accident scene photos and videos. They may also work with accident reconstruction specialists to determine the exact cause of the crash.
• Understanding Regulations: Coal trucks are subject to stringent state and federal regulations, including those set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and West Virginia state law. These regulations cover everything from driver hours-of-service to vehicle maintenance and weight limits. Attorneys familiar with these rules can identify violations that may have contributed to the accident and strengthen the victim’s claim.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Trucking and coal companies often have aggressive legal teams and insurance adjusters whose primary goal is to minimize payouts. An attorney will handle all communication with these entities, protecting the victim from lowball offers and tactics designed to shift blame.
• Seeking Full Compensation: Victims of coal truck accidents are entitled to compensation for their damages. This can include economic damages like medical bills (current and future), lost wages, and property damage, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, punitive damages may also be sought against grossly negligent parties.
• Litigation and Trial: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiation, a coal truck accident attorney will be prepared to take the case to court and aggressively represent their client at trial.

Why You Need a Coal Truck Accident Attorney in WV

Given the complexities of truck accident law, especially involving commercial vehicles like coal trucks, having an attorney with specific experience in this area is crucial.

Coal truck accident lawyers understand the unique challenges, regulations, and potential liabilities involved. They also typically work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you don’t pay upfront legal fees, and they only get paid if they win your case. This allows victims to focus on their recovery while their legal team fights for the compensation they deserve.

Contact Our Experienced West Virginia Truck Accident Lawyers

If you or someone you love got hurt in a trucking accident in Huntington or anywhere else in West Virginia, Bailey, Javins, and Carter L.C. is here to help! Call us today at (800) 497-0234 or (800) 296-6979 or message us online to set up a free consultation and case assessment with one of our attorneys.