Morgantown Truck Accident Lawyer

Table of Contents

• What Makes Trucks Dangerous?
• West Virginia Trucking Fatalities
• What Are The Causes of Truck Accidents?
• Truck Accident FAQ
• Contact Desai Law

Hire a top-rated Morgantown truck accident lawyer at Desai Law to assist you after suffering the devastating consequences of a truck accident. 

Chirag Desai and his legal team offer a client-first approach that provides personalized representation and tailored legal strategies. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, as they recognize that each case is unique and requires individual needs. Feel free to check out the testimonials of numerous Morgantown residents or read about their five-star reputation on Google.

Trucks play an indispensable role in commerce, serving as the lifeblood of transportation for goods across vast distances. However, the massive size that renders trucks crucial in commerce also poses significant hazards on the roadways. 

This type of vehicle can lead to severe consequences, often resulting in more extensive damage and increased risks for other motorists. Victims can experience whiplash, fractures, and concussions to soft tissue injuries, head injuries, back injuries, and, in the most tragic instances, fatalities. 

With a strong empathy and deep care towards their clients’ wellbeing, Chirag and his team have won millions worth of settlements and jury verdicts, such as securing a $300,000 sum for a company truck collision.

While we cannot assure a specific outcome for your lawsuit, Desai Law takes pride in its track record of success, having achieved positive results in numerous cases rejected by other attorneys in Morgantown and throughout West Virginia. 

Our approach is results-driven, with a dedicated focus on constructing the strongest case against those responsible for your injuries. We are committed to vigorously pursuing justice for the underrepresented, fearlessly taking on disputed claims and contested damages.

Why Choose Desai Law?

Chirag Desai is a nationally acclaimed attorney, earning the Client’s Choice Award in 2018 and 2019 from AVVO. His latest achievement is being acknowledged in the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list from 2020 until 2023.

Beyond Chirag’s expertise and accolades, Desai Law draws its strength and success from the favorable testimonials of clients in Morgantown. We do not selectively pick cases, aiming instead to uphold outstanding service, compassion, and unwavering dedication in every case we represent.

• Fees And Charges: We strictly follow a “no fee, unless you win” arrangement, underscoring our dedication to offering accessible legal representation to the community. 

Engaging our services carries no risk since there are no upfront costs. You will only be required to make a payment if we achieve a successful outcome on your behalf. 

• Call Us Now: Accidents can happen at any time, and we’re passionate about helping you in times of crisis. We’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer your call. 

If you or someone you know has suffered a truck accident, don’t hesitate to contact us through our secure and confidential form or call (304) 974-1974 for a free consultation.

What Makes Trucks Dangerous?

Commercial trucks are a common sight where we live in Morgantown, and have long been a topic of civic discussion. In fact, the city once attempted to ban heavy trucks from traveling through the downtown area. A collective of trucking companies whose routes regularly pass through the area filed a lawsuit, stating that the city ban was unenforceable as the routes used are state highways that allow commercial truck traffic. After a lower court found in favor of the plaintiffs, the city appealed the matter to the state Supreme Court, who also ruled that they did not have the jurisdiction to ban traffic on state highways.

About 15.5 million commercial trucks operate in the U.S., with about 2 million of these being tractor-trailers. The economy relies on commercial trucks to deliver approximately 70 percent of the retail goods and products sold in stores and restaurants across the country.

There are several hazards involved in the operation of these commercial trucks, mostly related to the size of the vehicles.

Here are a few large truck features that often result in or exacerbate accidents:

• Trucks weigh approximately 20-30 times as much as most passenger vehicles. This makes the occupants of other vehicles extremely vulnerable to injury or death if an accident occurs.
• Trucks have higher ground clearance, increasing the risk of something known as an underride, which occurs when the smaller passenger vehicle slides beneath the truck in an accident.
• While all vehicles have an area in the rear and to the sides in which the driver cannot see obstacles by using either the rear or side-view mirrors, the blind spots in commercial trucks are particularly significant along all four sides of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a truck driver being unaware of a vehicle in his or her blind spot and causing a collision.
• Loaded tractor-trailers take 20-40 percent more distance to come to a safe stop after the driver sees a hazard and responds to it by depressing the brakes. This distance is even larger on icy or wet roadways or if the truck’s brakes are poorly maintained.
• Because of their length, trucks make wide turns. This is hazardous to other vehicles who may become trapped between the turning truck and the curb.
• Trucks, at least for now, are operated by very human drivers. As with any type of motor vehicle accident, human error causes the vast majority of truck accidents.

West Virginia Trucking Fatalities

Source: https://transportation.wv.gov/DMV/Forms/Pages/Search-Results

What Are The Causes of Truck Accidents?

As mentioned, the largest percentage of truck accidents are the result of human error.

Some examples of human errors that can result in an accident involving a commercial truck include:

• Fatigue: Truck drivers work long hours, often driving for long periods of time across uneventful terrain. Despite federal hours of service regulations that prohibit a driver from being on-duty for more than 11 hours at a time, many drivers still drive when fatigued. In fact, in a study of large truck crashes, it was discovered that 13 percent of truck drivers were fatigued at the time when the crash occurred. In addition to long hours, truck drivers commonly choose to drive during the late-night hours, when the body is biologically wired for sleep.
• Distractions: Commercial truck drivers are not immune to the distractions posed to other drivers, including texting and other cell phone use, eating or drinking, adjusting GPS or vehicle controls, visiting with passengers, and external distractions including previous accident scenes, construction zones, other vehicles, and billboards.
• Impairment: Federal regulations require truck drivers to be routinely tested for drugs and alcohol in their systems. However, this doesn’t stop some drivers from indulging, even if they’re working. Additionally, many over-the-counter medications that drivers take for issues such as insomnia or allergies can cause drowsiness or other signs of impairment.
• Speeding: Truck drivers work on tight deadlines that tempt them to drive faster than the posted speed or too fast for the conditions of the road. Speed can increase the distance needed for the truck to come to a safe stop and can also increase the severity of the impact in an accident. A speeding truck also makes it harder for other drivers to judge a safe gap in which to pull into a travel lane.
• Tailgating: Being followed too closely by a truck is hazardous. As already described, trucks need an additional amount of space to stop if the vehicle in front of them brakes suddenly. Trucks often make wide turns and also tend to take time to gain speed after stopping for a stop sign or traffic light. A driver who is following too closely is not only in the truck driver’s rear blind spot but also may miss signs of the driver’s intentions and rear-end the truck.
• Getting lost: It is not unusual for a truck driver to find himself or herself in an unfamiliar city. Getting lost can result in unsafe driving practices such as carelessly attempting to cross lanes to avoid missing an exit, making a careless turn after missing an exit, or even entering a freeway ramp or a one-way road while driving the wrong direction.

Truck Accident FAQ

Truck accidents can inflict catastrophic injuries on their victims. In the aftermath of a crash, those victims have pressing, important questions about their legal and financial rights. Below, we answer some of the most frequently asked of those questions. For answers to specific questions about a truck accident that injured you or a loved one, contact an experienced attorney at Desai Law today.

Who is liable for injuries I suffered in a truck accident?

It depends on how the accident happened and the parties involved.

Unlike your typical two-car accident, in which a driver of one of the vehicles may bear the bulk of responsibility for causing the crash, a truck accident can happen because of numerous bad decisions or careless actions by a wide range of individuals, companies, and others. That is because trucks are usually commercial vehicles that different parties may own, operate, maintain, load, and unload.

An experienced lawyer for victims of a truck accident knows to take a hard look at the range of parties who may have liability for the harm the crash caused.

That could include:

• The truck driver;
• The truck owner or trucking company;
• The owner of the truck trailer;
• The truck’s mechanic; and
• The owner of the truck’s cargo.

That is just a sampling of the parties who could face liability, believe it or not. To find out who may have liability for the truck crash that injured you, contact a skilled attorney today.

What damages can I seek from the liable party?

Every truck accident case is different, so there is no single answer to that question.

However, in general, victims of truck accidents can usually take legal action seeking compensation to help them pay for:

• Medical expenses;
• Other expenses related to the accident and injuries;
• Lost wages and future income;
• Pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life; and
• In some cases, punitive damages.

Speak with an experienced truck accident injury lawyer about your injuries and losses to find out what types of damages you may have the right to recover by taking legal action.

How much is my truck accident case worth?

That depends on several factors specific to your case:

• The severity of your injury. Generally speaking, the more significant the harm you suffered, and the greater its impact on your life, the higher the potential amount of any claim for damages.
• The strength of your case. To obtain compensation through legal action, your lawyer must have the ability to prove someone’s liability to you and the amount of damages they owe you. The higher the quality of the evidence, and the clearer the legal arguments in your favor, the more money you may have the ability to recover.
• The financial resources of the liable parties. You have a better chance of recovering the full amount of compensation you deserve if the party who has a liability to you carries lots of insurance and/or has many assets than you do if that party has minimal (or no) insurance and few assets.

Hiring a skilled truck accident injury lawyer can improve your odds of recovering maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. An experienced attorney can evaluate the full amount of damages you deserve based on the severity of your injury, build the strongest possible case on your half, and investigate your case to make sure to identify all parties who may have liability to you.

What are my rights if my loved one died in a  truck accident?

As a surviving spouse or family member of someone who tragically died in a truck accident, you may have the right to pursue a lawsuit known as a wrongful death action, in which you and your family may seek to recover compensation for your loss. Money cannot bring back a loved one, but it can provide much-needed financial support during a difficult time. Speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer today to learn more.

A trucking company’s insurance company offered me a settlement. Should I agree to it?

No, do not agree to any settlement without first talking to an experienced truck accident injury lawyer.

Insurance companies, particularly ones whose policyholders have potential liability for an expensive truck accident, sometimes try to tempt accident victims with quick payments of what seems like a lot of money.

In fact, the sum they offer will almost always fall far short of the amount victims have the right to receive under West Virginia law. And, that money comes with strings attached.

To get it, victims must sign-away their rights to sue for damages in the future, which could leave them out-of-luck and empty-handed if they later realize they agreed to settle for far too little.

Do not put your legal rights at risk by jumping at what seems like easy money. Instead, let an experienced truck accident injury lawyer, who serves your interests, handle any interactions and negotiations with the trucking company’s insurance company and lawyers.

How much does a truck accident lawyer cost at Desai Law?

An experienced truck accident lawyer will meet with you free-of-charge to learn about the truck accident and the injuries you sustained in it. In this initial consultation, you can get to know the lawyer, and the lawyer can give you a first impression of whether you have a case to make for compensation.

Lawyers for truck accident victims also virtually always represent their clients on a contingent fee basis. This is an arrangement in which the lawyer’s fee consists only of a percentage of any money the lawyer secures on the client’s behalf. The client does not pay the lawyer money upfront or as the case goes along. The lawyer only receives a fee by getting results for the client.

So, you have nothing to lose, and potentially lots to gain, by sitting down with a skilled truck accident lawyer at Desai Law as soon as possible.

Contact A Morgantown Truck Accident Lawyer Now

An experienced Morgantown truck accident law firm can help you pursue justice as you focus on recovering from property loss, restoring your health, and rebuilding your life.

Our seasoned legal experts and trial attorney possess the skills to navigate West Virginia’s intricate legal system. Rest assured, we can fearlessly champion your cause, holding wrongdoers accountable with unwavering determination. 

Moreover, we’ll stand against powerful insurance companies, ready to assert your rights in court. At Desai Law, you’ll find not only legal proficiency but also a commitment to our mission to fight for “the little guys.” 

Contact us now by filling out our secure and confidential form or call (304) 974-1974 for a free case evaluation.

Desai Law, PLLC
449 Fortress Blvd
Suite 2100
Morgantown, WV 26508
(304) 974-1974