West Virginia Injury Lawyer Blog

The Wheeling News-Register / Intelligencer reports that a large crane truck that was used at a natural gas drilling site overturned around midnight on Wednesday of last week. The accident occurred in southern Marshall County on Burch Ridge when the crane driver -- returning the vehicle to Stephenson Equipment of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania -- allegedly took a turn too sharply, flipped the rig, and blocked the roadway. Because the truck was so large, the West Virginia Division of Highways was forced to close the road for most of the day as crews cleared the accident debris. Local law enforcement arrived at the scene soon after the crash was reported, and thankfully found that neither the driver nor his passenger were injured in the incident.

West Virginians are used to seeing semi-trucks and crane trucks on the highway, but when such large vehicles attempt to maneuver through winding mountain roads, accidents like the one mentioned above can easily occur. The Wolfe Law Firm is happy to hear that no one was injured when the crane truck overturned, but the fact that the road was closed for most of the day afterward showcases how serious such accidents can be. The damage dealt when a large vehicle, like a crane a truck, overturns is massive and the consequences for other cars on the road are severe.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with a semi-truck or other large commercial vehicle, you should consult a West Virginia truck accident attorney as soon as you can. There's no need to deal with your injuries and insurance claims by yourself because a trained lawyer can help you get the medical attention you need and work with you to seek compensation for your injuries. Insurance companies have lawyers looking out for their best interests, so you should have an attorney fighting for your rights and looking out for yours.

A recent report from WSAZ.com states that police believe alcohol played a role in causing a traffic accident that occurred in West Huntington this week, and an arrest may be forthcoming as a result. The wreck was allegedly caused by a driver who ran a red light and collided with two sport utility vehicles in the middle of the intersection of Adams Ave. and 14th St. West. Several people were injured in the accident, including an individual who was thrown from one car by the impact. Emergency personnel responded to help the victims, and while some of their injuries were serious, none were life threatening.

Driving is a dangerous enough activity even when there is no mind altering substances involved, and the news story above shows how hazardous the roads can be when people do drive under the influence. All of us at the Wolfe Law Firm hope for the speedy recovery of the victims from the crash, but their circumstances provide a stark reminder to all of us why it is important to be careful when on West Virginia's roads. Unfortunately, defensive driving is not always enough to prevent such accidents from occurring, and there will always be many people who are injured by drunk drivers each year. If you or a loved one has suffered because of the careless actions of a drunk driver, you should contact a West Virginia drunk driving victim attorney as soon as possible. The criminal justice system may provide some peace of mind, but it cannot fully compensate you for your injuries, and a lawyer can analyze your situation to help get you as fully compensated as the law allows.

Last week in Charleston, West Virginia a family was saved from almost certain death by their dog. According to a report from WTVM, the family's house caught on fire while the people inside were sleeping, and they were saved by the cries of the family dog. Upon waking up, the victims found that the attic of the house was already engulfed by the blaze, but thankfully all members of the family (including Fancy the dog) were able to escape the tragedy unharmed. Unfortunately, fire crews did not arrive in time to prevent the house from being completely consumed by the fire.

The family was extremely fortunate to survive such a harrowing ordeal, and we here at the Wolfe Law Firm are glad that no one was harmed in the fire, but the story is a cautionary tale for all homeowners. The victims of this fire had failed to install a smoke detector, and it wound up costing them their home and worldly possessions. Even if you have taken appropriate measures to guard against fire hazards, malfunctioning smoke detectors, faulty wiring, and a host of other misfortunes can befall any homeowner. When the worst-case scenario occurs and you or a loved one have been harmed, seeking the advice of a legal professional is always a good idea. A West Virginia fire injury lawyer can assess your situation and provide guidance to protect your interests and help get you compensated for your loss.

The Federal government's Department of Labor (DOL) has published a release stating that the number of "mining fatalities in the United States significantly increased in 2010, following a year marked by the fewest deaths in mining history." Of particular note in the report was the 29 deaths in Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine near Montcoal, West Virginia last April. The DOL stated that its Mine and Safety Health Administration had performed 200 impact inspections during last eight months of 2010 and promised to remain committed to enforcing the Mine Act and Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 to ensure the safety of miners nationwide in 2011.

The Wolfe Law Firm would like to express our deepest condolences to all those affected in both the Upper Big Branch disaster and in mining accidents across the country. Mining is an extremely dangerous job, but it is an occupation of many citizens in our state, and the toll taken on the families that survive those fatally injured in accidents is massive. Nothing can ever make up for such a loss, but a West Virginia mining accident lawyer can help. An attorney can evaluate any workplace injury or wrongful death claim and provide advice regarding your legal rights to help guide you through this difficult time.

WVNS has recently reported a story that may be the first of its kind, as many residents of Willow Wood, West Virginia are upset that roadwork on a community bridge recently stopped after several years of construction. The complaints are not about the bridge itself, but the new traffic pattern at the intersection adjacent to the bridge. People unhappy with the bridge fear that the newly constructed interchange that requires a sharp turn to head towards nearby Forrest Hills, West Virginia will eventually cause a major accident. The Division of Highways has stated that the bridge interchange was designed to prevent traffic from backing up and sitting on the span, which could cause undue stress to the structure and significantly reduce the length of the bridge's life.

No wrecks have occurred since the construction stopped, and we here at the Wolfe Law Firm hope that there are no accidents near the bridge in the future. However, this news story does provide the opportunity to speak about issues that may not arise in the average automobile accident. Situations like the one in Willow Wood illustrate the potential for accidents caused by road and bridge design, as opposed to driver negligence, which is a much more common cause of accidents. When crashes happen under these conditions, it is extremely important to contact a West Virginia car crash attorney as soon as possible afterward. A lawyer can evaluate the circumstances that led to your injuries and help you pursue all the parties at fault. With an attorney's help, you have a better chance of protecting your interests and obtaining maximum compensation for your injuries.