Many accidents are the result of negligence, whether by a company that manufactures faulty equipment, or because of a driver, operator, bicyclist or pedestrian who is not paying attention or taking the necessary precautions to avoid an accident.
Parkersburg Accidents and Injuries
If you have been involved in an accident such as the ones listed below, Jim Leach, LC can help. There is no charge to talk to Jim about your case, and we don’t charge attorney’s fees unless and until we recover compensation for you.
If you have a serious case requires assistance from a serious injury lawyer, we are prepared to put our experience, resources and persistence to work for you.
Bicycle Accidents
Nearly a third of all injuries to bicyclists happen when bicyclists are struck by cars, according to the National Survey on Bicyclist and Pedestrian Attitudes and Behaviors. A car hitting a bicycle can result in major injuries and even death for the bicyclist, as they have much less protection and weight than a motor vehicle.
Bicycle accidents can happen when an inattentive or distracted driver hits a bicyclist, or when either the driver or the bicyclist does not observe the correct right-of-way. Bicycle accidents may also be caused by drivers who:
- Do not observe traffic rules.
- Run stop signs or red lights.
- Do not look before pulling out of a driveway or parking spot.
- Drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Bicyclists must also know and obey the same traffic laws that vehicles follow, use signals and yield to the right-of-way. Call your bicycle accident lawyers now for help.
Pedestrian Accidents
While some pedestrian accidents are a result of the carelessness or inattention of the pedestrian, the majority of pedestrian accidents occur because of the carelessness or negligence of the vehicle driver.
Examples of reckless driving that can lead to pedestrian accidents include:
- Speeding
- Using devices such as cell phones, iPods, or the radio while driving
- Failure to yield to right-of-way or stop at stop signs or traffic lights
- Failure to stop at school crosswalks
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Call your pedestrian accident lawyers now for help if you’ve been injured.
Construction Accidents
Working in construction can be dangerous because of the hazards presented by working at heights, with heavy machinery, chemicals, and electricity, among other things. For that reason, there are a number of safety regulations in place that should be observed by construction companies and workers.
Negligence on the part of the company, the workers, co-workers, management, other contractors or manufacturers can result in serious injuries. Some common causes of injury at a construction site include:
- Falls
- Defective tools, safety gear or machines
- Faulty wiring
- Unsafe walls, ceilings or floors
- Falling objects
- Fires or explosions
- Exposure to chemicals
- Vehicle-related injuries
Call your construction accident lawyers now for help if you’ve been injured a construction site.
Boat Accidents
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 4,158 recreational boating accidents in a single recent year that caused 626 deaths, 2,613 injuries and approximately $42 million of property damage. The great majority of the deaths were due to drowning, and in most cases the person who drowned was not using a life jacket.
Many of the risk factors for boating accidents are preventable, and could be decreased if more boat operators took a boating safety course and used what they learned. The greatest risk factors for boating accidents include:
- Inattentive or careless operator
- Lack of proper lookout
- Excessive speed
- Machinery failure
Call your boating accident lawyers now for help if you’ve been injured on the water.
Bus Accidents
Bus accidents are not as common as car accidents, but they usually affect more people per crash than other types of accidents. The drivers and passengers of both the bus and the other vehicle are all at risk for injury in the event of an accident. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, in one recent year, large bus or truck crashes resulted in around 109,000 injuries, and 3,978 fatalities.
Common causes of bus accidents include:
- Driver error
- Vehicle malfunction
- Dangerous roadways
- Other drivers
Call your bus accident lawyers now for help if you’ve been injured while riding or getting hit by a bus.
Railroad Accidents
Although railroad accidents are relatively uncommon, collisions with a train are extremely dangerous and often deadly. According to the Federal Road Administration Office of Safety Analysis, in 2016 there were 3,919 rail accidents, including 2,893 non-fatal injuries and 240 fatalities.
Common types of railroad accidents include:
- Railroad crossing accidents. This can happen when a train collides with a vehicle or a pedestrian at a railroad crossing.
- Derailments. Both cross-country trains and subway trains occasionally derail, which can result in serious injury or death.
- Falls. If a person falls from a moving train or onto train tracks, they may be injured by the fall or by the train.
- Train collisions. Two trains may collide if signaling is defective or communications are poor.
You may have a claim if the accident was the result of negligence by the operator, inadequate training, operators under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or for wrongful death if a loved one died in a train accident.
Call your railroad accident lawyers now for help if you’ve been injured while riding or getting hit by a bus.
Accident Injuries: What Type of Compensation May Be Available?
The damages or compensation you may be able to recover depends on the type of accident, severity of injuries, and other factors. Some of the things you may be able to receive compensation for include:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost income, current and future
- Compensation for expected future medical costs, such as physical therapy, additional surgeries, ongoing care, and more
- Wrongful death, if you lost a loved one in an accident.
Contact an Accident Attorney in Parkersburg
If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident, we want to help. We have helped accident victims in Parkersburg and the surrounding areas recover compensation for medical expenses, wrongful death, and lost income, as well as other compensation for the impact on health and quality of life.
Please contact experienced accident injury attorney Jim Leach today to schedule a free initial consultation. Jim is a serious lawyer for serious cases. He has strong community ties in Parkersburg and surrounding areas of West Virginia and Ohio. His team is ready to put their resources and years of experience to work for you to help you get the compensation you deserve.