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Truck Accidents

Charleston Truck Accident Attorney

Representation in Truck Accident Injury Cases

Have you been injured in a truck accident? Unfortunately, trucking accidents occur all across the nation involving 18 wheelers, semis, tankers, refrigerator trucks, dump trucks, and more. These heavy commercial trucks are often difficult to maneuver and even more difficult to stop.

When colliding with smaller vehicles, they can cause enormous property damage, bodily injury, and multi-vehicle pileups. Our seasoned Charleston truck accident attorney at Rod Smith Law PLLC has a strong track record in personal injury cases, with over $100 million in verdicts and settlements. 

Let our Charleston truck accident lawyer focus on fighting for justice while you recover. Call us at (304) 406-7076.

 

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?

Most of the time, the parties involved resolve the at-fault driver and negotiate with that driver's insurance company to settle. However, they can sue someone personally after a truck accident if they do not receive acceptable compensation from insurance.

Truck Accident Liability in West Virginia

Trucking accidents can be complex and require early action to preserve evidence before it can be lost, hidden, or compromised.

If you were injured due to negligence on the part of the truck driver, trucking company, truck manufacturer, or other entity, you can file a personal injury claim to recover damages. These entities may be liable due to various reasons. 

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in West Virginia

Common causes of truck accidents include:

  • Driver error
  • Poor truck maintenance
  • Improperly loaded cargo
  • Defective or dangerous equipment or components
  • Poor driver training
  • Fatigue

Truck accidents unique for the severity of the damage they can inflict on bodies and property. These accidents are more likely to cause death than other accidents as well as catastrophic injuries, such as brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, loss of limbs, and organ damage.

Trucking Regulation

Because large trucks can cause such catastrophic damage to other motorists in the event of an accident, truck drivers are required to follow more laws than other motor vehicles both on and even off the road. One of these such rules is called the hours of service regulation. The main purposes of this rule is to prevent fatigued driving, thus the laws are aimed at ensuring that truck drivers are not overworked and get an adequate amount of sleep and rest each day. According to this law:

  • Truck drivers can work a maximum of14 hours in a day. Of these 14 hours truckers can only drive for 11 hours, with the remaining time spent on rest or meal breaks
  • Truck drivers must rest for at least 10 consecutive hours before beginning a new workday
  • Truck drivers are required to take days off work at regular intervals

Unfortunately, whether due to truck driver negligence or pressure from the trucking companies truckers work for these rules are not always followed which can lead to accidents. If you have been injured, contact our firm for help today.

Let Our Truck Accident Lawyer Help You

After a trucking accident, it is critical that you contact us as soon as possible to ensure that your personal injury claim is handled professionally. It is a well-known fact that insurance companies will try to shift the blame in an effort to reduce their liability and payout.

Our legal team can get to work immediately to combat this through intense investigation and a determined stance in negotiations or in court. Let us protect your rights and seek the justice you deserve.

Reach out to our skilled Charleston truck accident lawyer at (304) 406-7076 for a free consultation. You can also contact Rod Smith Law PLLC online.

TRUE STORIES FROM REAL CLIENTS

At Rod Smith Law PLLC, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

    “Made me feel comfortable during the process.”
    Rod Smith Law office took my case and made me feel comfortable during the process. Alex did an outstanding job of facilitating everything and worked hard to get the case resolved with positive results! Thank you for everything!
    - Ken B.
    “This team made an otherwise very uncomfortable and unfortunate situation, peaceful and dignified.”
    Rod and his team were incredibly professional, patient, and honest. I never felt like I didn't know where we were in the process or like my best interest was not being considered. This team made an otherwise very uncomfortable and unfortunate situation, peaceful and dignified.
    - Amanda T.
    “I would highly recommend Rod Smith.”
    I have sought Rod for guidance in the past and received a response in a very timely fashion. He is knowledgeable, sensitive and considerate. His office is comprised of similarly kind-hearted folks who are all invested in making sure each client has the utmost care and respect. I would highly recommend Rod Smith.
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    The Rod Smith Law offices gets the highest recommendation from me! I have the utmost respect and confidence in Mr. Smith, as a lawyer and as a friend. He is very professional, honest, reliable, and dedicated. He kept me informed throughout the whole process so I knew what to expect. He is easy to talk to and returned my calls/messages promptly. If I were to ever need legal services again I will definitely give their office a call.
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    Rod Smith Law PLLC is a very dedicated, ethical, and quick to act law firm. Not only did Rod Smith show me kindness and consideration. The entire team within this firm was without a doubt a refreshment to me with their humble approach, helpful guidance, and non-judgmental attentiveness. I will always recommend them, and hopefully there should never be a day to return, but if so, I know where I would choose.
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    Rod and team are fantastic. I had a case and issues that were complex to handle and took some time to solve but Rod was attentive and transparent at every point of the process alleviating much stress. (Even answering my questions on weekends!)

    Super thorough guy and very professional team. Hope not to have to but would absolutely go to Rod again with any legal issues/claims.
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    Rod Smith and Alex Urban worked great together to help guide me through this process from start to finish. They were both fully engaged and very responsive to any questions or concerns I had. The rest of the staff are just as wonderful! I’m forever grateful for their hard work and dedication. Litigation can be scary and uncertain but Rod and his team will do what is necessary for you to get the justice you deserve.
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