West Virginia Truck Accident Lawyers
The West Virginia truck accident lawyers at Burke, Schultz, Harman and Jenkinson understand the complexities of trucking accidents through experience and practice. Interstate 81 (I-81) cuts across the entire Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia (WV), right through Martinsburg, for a total of 26 miles across Berkeley County. As a major route through Appalachia, I-81 is a busy trucking corridor, stretching from New York at the Canadian border to Dandridge, Tennessee. The stretch of I-81 through Berkeley County, WV has been deemed one of the deadliest highways in the country.
Serving Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties in WV and the greater Hagerstown, Maryland area, the Martinsburg personal injury attorneys at Burke, Schultz, Harman & Jenkinson have experience investigating truck accident causes and identifying the compensable damages related to West Virginia trucking accident claims.
Our trucking accident investigations include accident reconstruction to determine the cause of WV truck accidents and establish liability. We use our deep experience in truck accident cases to determine and prove who is responsible for the accident, then we fight for compensation for you.
Causes of WV Truck Accidents
Partly in recognition of the heavy truck traffic on I-81, the I-81 traffic safety initiative aims to identify ways to counter the high incidences of crashes. The number of tractor-trailers has increased as truckers use I-81 to avoid the congestion on I-95 leading to the Capital Beltway. In addition, truck traffic is picked up from I-70 in Hagerstown, Maryland and heads straight through Martinsburg.
Knowledgeable WV trucking accident attorneys assess traffic congestion and road conditions as possible causes of a WV truck accident, but there are many others. A heavy-laden big rig requires greatly increased stopping distance and reaction time. Also, blind spots for truckers extend both directly ahead and behind the truck for several car lengths and even into the next lane or two lanes over. Trucks that have daily routes may not receive maintenance on brakes and tires that would prevent accidents. The failure to take appropriate steps to deal with weather conditions like fog, wet roads, and poor visibility can also lead to collisions.
Driver Error Is a Common Cause of WV Truck Accidents
Regardless of the level of care of the automobile driver, truck driver error can cause a serious accident. Truck drivers are under enormous pressure from trucking companies to make their deliveries in as little time as possible. Under federal regulations, workdays for truckers can be up to 14 hours long with 11 hours of driving time each shift. The workweek can be seven or eight days long with no significant downtime. Driver fatigue is a very real problem. To combat fatigue, truckers may take over-the-counter or illicit substances to stay awake, but often these drugs actually decrease alertness and reaction time.
The WV trucking accident lawyers at Burke, Schultz, Harman & Jenkinson can also determine whether a trucker’s driving was reckless or aggressive. Both careless and malicious driving by truckers can cause accidents or force cars off the road or into collisions with other vehicles. Our lawyers know how to properly investigate a trucking accident to determine a trucker or trucking company’s liability and damages, including obtaining and reviewing transportation logs.
Our West Virginia Truck Accident Lawyers Can Assess All Damages
Truck accidents are generally much more damaging than collisions between automobiles, often resulting in claims for serious injuries or wrongful death. Because the weight and mass of a semi-truck are drastically greater than a personal automobile, even a relatively low-impact collision can seriously injure the occupants of a smaller, lighter vehicle.
As experienced WV trucking accident attorneys, Burke, Schultz, Harman & Jenkinson can properly evaluate all of the losses involved in West Virginia trucking accident claims. Compensation for these losses can include medical bills, loss of income, long-term care expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and, in some cases, punitive damages.
Contact Our Experienced West Virginia Truck Accident Lawyers
The WV trucking accident attorneys at Burke, Schultz, Harman & Jenkinson understand the serious nature and complexity of truck accidents. Our service to communities in Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties in WV and Hagerstown, Maryland has provided a rich understanding of all the factors that can contribute to a truck accident, possible long-term consequences, and how to effectively win compensation for you.
For skills acquired through years of experience and an understanding of local procedure, talk to the West Virginia truck accident lawyers at Burke, Schultz, Harman & Jenkinson. We understand the serious nature of truck accidents, the long-term expenses involved, and how to maximize damages in West Virginia trucking accident claims. Contact our office for a free consultation or call us at 304-263-0900 or 304-LAWYERS (529-9377).
