Parkersburg 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney Information

Semi truck, tractor trailer and 18-wheeler accidents are common occurrences on Parkersburg roads and highways. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 people die as a result of 18-wheeler accidents and big rig collisions in the United States each year with a substantial number of 18-wheeler truck accidents occurring in Parkersburg, West Virginia, every day. Due to the high population and highly congested traffic throughout Parkersburg’s sprawling metropolis, the city of Parkersburg unfortunately has its fair share of big rig truck accidents. In 2009, the U.S. Census estimated Parkersburg’s population to be at 2.3 million people within an area of 579 square miles. With Parkersburg being the fourth largest city in the United States and the largest city in the State of West Virginia, 18-wheeler accidents and semi truck crashes on Parkersburg highways are inevitable.

Parkersburg’s freeway system, which is made up of 739.3 miles of freeways and expressways in a ten-county metropolitan area, uses a hub-and-spoke freeway structure serviced by multiple loops. The innermost loop is Interstate 610, which encircles Parkersburg’s downtown, the medical center, and many core neighborhoods with about a 10-mile diameter. The automobile is still the most common form of transportation in Parkersburg, with approximately 71.7% of its residents driving to work alone each day.

Parkersburg 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney

Due to the sheer weight difference of a car versus the weight of an 18-wheeler or tractor trailer, accidents that involve commercial vehicles often times result in severe injuries or even death. Compared to the average weight of an automobile, which is only 5,000 pounds, one can easily see how much more dangerous commercial vehicles like an 18 wheeler can be. That is why if you are injured by a semi truck or commercial vehicle in Parkersburg, it is important that you choose an experienced Parkersburg 18-wheeler accident attorney who knows the truck regulations and laws both nationally and for the State of West Virginia.

Commercial vehicles go by different names such as:

1. Semi-Tractor Truck
2. Semi-Trailer
3. Tractor Trailer
4. Flatbed
5. Semi

Parkersburg truck accidents caused by an 18-wheeler, big rig, semi truck, tractor trailer, bus or commercial vehicle are common on Parkersburg streets, avenues and highways. Many of the semi truck crashes that occur in the city of Parkersburg happen along the major Parkersburg highways, which include the I-77, SH 95, SH 7, SH 32, SH 14, and SH 68.

Types of Trucks

The following trucks do specific things and carry certain types of cargo:

1. Refrigerated trucks
2. Tanker trucks
3. Bob-Tail Trucks
4. Flat bed trucks
5. Logging trucks

Buses are also considered commercial vehicles as well, but as a rule do not haul cargo. Instead a bus is a transportation vehicle that carries children or adults such as a school bus or commercial bus like Greyhound. School bus accidents or commercial bus accidents are common on Parkersburg roads and freeways. The causes may vary, but often times the accident is a result of hazardous road conditions or driver negligence.

It is essential to hire a Parkersburg bus accident lawyer if you have been involved in the following type of accident:

1. Parkersburg city buses;
2. transportation buses such as Greyhound;
3. shuttle bus accidents when driving to and from the airport, such as Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport, ; and/or,
4. casino bus accidents that occur running back and forth from Chesterhill.

The ways Parkersburg truck accidents happen occur are too numerous to list. Blind spots, rear-ends, sideswipes, head-ons, load overturns, jack-knifes are all possible and can result in fatal wrongful death truck accidents.

If you live in Parkersburg and have a claims for an accident that involved a big rig or an 18 wheeler, your case might be filed in one of these courts:

Wood County Circuit Court
Wood County Judicial Building
2 Government Square Room 133
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 424-1700

Wood County Magistrate Court
208 Avery Street
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 422-344

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Parkersburg and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Northwestern West Virginia, including Athens, Beverly, Bridgeport, Caldwell, Elizabeth, Fairmont, Glenville, Grantsville, Middlebourne, Moundsville, New Martinsville, New Milton, Parkersburg, Point Pleasant, Pomeroy, Ripley, Slate, Spencer, Spencer, St. Marys, Sutton, Woodsfield, areas in the vicinity of Wood County Airport/Gill Robb Wilson Field, and other communities in Wood County.

Parkersburg 18-wheeler accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Parkersburg 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Types of Trucks

Hiring a Parkersburg 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in an 18 wheeler truck accident in Parkersburg, West Virginia, it is recommended that you hire a qualified Parkersburg 18-wheeler accident lawyer who is knowledgeable in federal laws and West Virginia state laws regarding trucking regulations. Parkersburg, located in Wood County, is the largest city in West Virginia with extensive roadways and congested freeways due to its high population. Therefore, it is not uncommon for truck collisions, wrecks, crashes and injuries to occur due to the high amount of traffic. If you or a loved one have been injured in a Southeast West Virginia truck accident, contact a qualified Parkersburg semi truck accident attorney today for a free initial consultation.

Parkersburg & West Virginia Professional Associations

In addition to selecting a qualified Parkersburg personal injury lawyer who regularly handles Parkersburg area truck accident cases, you should also check out the lawyers credentials. For example, is the attorney a member of the Parkersburg Trial Lawyers Association or of the American Association of Justice (AAJ)?

All states have bar associations. Some are mandatory, or "unified," and some are not. In other words, if the bar association is unified, then a lawyer must be a member to practice law in that jurisdiction. On the other hand, if the bar association is voluntary, then a lawyer does not have to be a member. However, there are usually many benefits to being a member of a bar association and being a member is just one aspect that you may wish to consider in selecting your lawyer. The West Virginia Bar Association is a voluntary bar association. A Parkersburg truck accident attorney may choose at his or her own discretion whether or not to join the state bar association in order to practice in the State of West Virginia.

Parkersburg semi-truck injury lawyers may also join other professional organizations, such as:

• West Virginia State Bar
• West Virginia Association for Justice
• American Association of Justice

The Parkersburg Bar Association  is a nonprofit professional association of lawyers with nearly 12,000 members. It is the fifth largest bar association in the nation. The Parkersburg Bar Association provides educational and professional development services for both the legal profession and the Parkersburg community.

Big Rig Accidents Can Be Devastating

When a negligent truck driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel of their semi tractor-trailer, any driver traveling near them is at risk for serious injury or death. The consequences of an 18-wheeler truck a crash along a Parkersburg intersection, avenue, or freeway can be devastating, often resulting in very serious injuries that can even lead to death. The sheer force of a speeding 18-wheeler truck is a dangerous weapon that can forever change your life. Under the law if you are involved in such a wreck or an accident, you are entitled to compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. If you or a loved one have been injured in a commercial truck accident in Parkersburg, West Virginia or Wood County, it is in your best interest to contact a Parkersburg big rig truck accident lawyer immediately.

Parkersburg 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys File in Wood County, West Virginia

When a truck accident occurs and a lawsuit is subsequently filed, the decision of where to file it is called “choice of venue.” The venue chosen can have legal consequences that affect the outcome of your case. Generally, venue in a truck accident case is proper in any of the following locations:

1. the county wherein the accident occurred;
2. the county wherein the defendant company’s principal place of business is located; or,
3. the county wherein the defendant truck driver resides.

Even though your accident may have occurred in Parkersburg, the truck company and truck driver will often be from a different state. This is because trucking companies frequently operate in states other than where they are registered. In these cases, the venue where the lawsuit may be filed could be the state where the truck accident occurred, the state where the trucking company is located, or even the state where the trucking company regularly does business, if different. For example, the accident may have occurred in Parkersburg, West Virginia, therefore making venue proper in Wood County, but the claim may be filed against a trucking company from another state. You need a qualified and experienced Parkersburg tractor trailer lawyer to decide what the best venue would be in a case like this that crosses state lines.

Some of the courts in the Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia, areas include:

Wood County Circuit Court
Wood County Judicial Building
2 Government Square Room 133
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 424-1700

Wood County Magistrate Court
208 Avery Street
Parkersburg, WV 26101
(304) 422-3444

18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys Serve Parkersburg and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Northwestern West Virginia, including Athens, Beverly, Bridgeport, Caldwell, Elizabeth, Fairmont, Glenville, Grantsville, Middlebourne, Moundsville, New Martinsville, New Milton, Parkersburg, Point Pleasant, Pomeroy, Ripley, Slate, Spencer, Spencer, St. Marys, Sutton, Woodsfield, areas in the vicinity of Wood County Airport/Gill Robb Wilson Field, and other communities in Wood County.

Don’t be the victim of a semi driver’s negligence. Hiring a qualified Parkersburg 18-wheeler accident lawyer is essential if you or a loved one have been injured in a truck collision. Contact a big rig accident lawyer today to ensure you receive expert representation from an attorney who knows how to handle your case.

Types of Trucks on Parkersburg Highways

There are many types of commercial trucks found in and around Parkersburg, West Virginia. Trucking companies in Parkersburg offer a wide variety of vehicle choices. Some Parkersburg trucking companies deal with courier and small package delivery as well. Some companies offer bicycle couriers for downtown Metro areas and will also use an assortment of vehicles ranging from cars, vans and pick-up trucks to large tractor-trailers and bobtail trucks.

Types of Trucks Used By Parkersburg Trucking Companies:

• 18 Wheeler
• Semi Truck
• Tractor Trailer
• Big Rig
• Semi Trailer
• Box Truck
• Straight Truck
• Flatbed Truck
• Stake Truck
• Bobtail Truck

Be sure to insist on the highest levels of safety by selecting a reputable Parkersburg trucking company that uses late model vehicles which are inspected on a regular basis.

When to Hire a Parkersburg Truck Accident Lawyer

In many cases, Parkersburg 18-wheeler accident attorneys must retain the services of scientific and medical experts to prove both the cause of the accident and the cause of your injuries. Additionally, a qualified semi truck accident lawyer will obtain all kinds of evidence concerning the scene of the crash, truck logs, and other important information to be used against the trucker, trucking company, or the company’s insurer. Arranging expert witness testimony and preparing important physical and documentary evidence is just one of many ways a Parkersburg tractor trailer injury lawyer can help you after you’ve suffered a truck accident injury from a major 18-wheeler truck wreck.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious box truck wreck, semi crash or big rig accident, hiring a lawyer is the farthest thing from your mind when tragedy such as this strikes you, a family member, or a friend. However, this is when you need a Parkersburg truck accident lawyer most. Do yourself a favor by calling one of the qualified Parkersburg truck accident lawyers listed on this page. Hire a qualified Parkersburg tractor trailer accident lawyer to help protect your rights.

Parkersburg Trucking Companies

Following is a list of trucking companies based in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Services offered include container drayage, loose freight drayage, overweight loads, bonded moves, same day delivery.

Truck Accident Attorneys Serve Parkersburg and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Northwestern West Virginia, including Athens, Beverly, Bridgeport, Caldwell, Elizabeth, Fairmont, Glenville, Grantsville, Middlebourne, Moundsville, New Martinsville, New Milton, Parkersburg, Point Pleasant, Pomeroy, Ripley, Slate, Spencer, Spencer, St. Marys, Sutton, Woodsfield, areas in the vicinity of Wood County Airport/Gill Robb Wilson Field, and other communities in Wood County.

Parkersburg truck accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Parkersburg truck accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.

Parkersburg Truck Accident Lawyers Represent Injured Truck Drivers

Truck drivers who operate an 18-wheeler truck or big rig on the busy roads and highways of Parkersburg such as I-77, SH 95 or SH 7, can become injured when a major commercial vehicle collision occurs. Truckers often say, “Ride with me for just one day and you will see what it is like ‘out there’…it’s not always the trucker’s fault…”

It is not uncommon to see a big rig wreck, semi crash or major accident involving semi truck drivers in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Parkersburg’s freeway system, which is made up of 739.3 miles of freeways and expressways in a ten-county metropolitan area, uses a hub-and-spoke freeway structure which is serviced by multiple loops. The danger of an 18-wheeler truck accident is not just confined to injured people in automobiles, but can end up injuring the truck driver affecting their livelihood and family’s livelihood as well as the automobile driver. So, when a Parkersburg 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer is contacted, be it by an automobile driver who has been injured or a truck driver that has been injured at the dangerous hands of another, you will need an expert Parkersburg truck injury lawyer to fight for your rights.

The Semi Truck Driver is Not Always at Fault

When an 18-wheeler is moving down a Parkersburg road or highway, such as I-77, SH 95, SH 7, SH 32, SH 14, SH 68, SH 618, or US 50 at high speeds, it is nearly unstoppable and can easily turn a motorist’s everyday commute into a lethal situation. Although a passenger car is lightweight, in comparison, and can easily maneuver in and out of lanes on Parkersburg highways, it is no match for a big rig truck. If the two vehicles are unable to avoid a collision, wreck or crash, the driver of the passenger car will be lucky to escape with their life.

A driver of a passenger vehicle could easily be killed as a result of  veering out of his lane and then smashing into a tractor trailer truck let’s say on the U.S. 59 Southwest Freeway which is just under the beltway in Parkersburg.  If the trucker tried to avoid hitting the passenger car but was unable to avoid the wreck or crash, then this would be a case where the accident was caused by the driver of the passenger vehicle and therefore the trucker would not be at fault.

Truck Driver Facts

• Two of your fellow truck drivers die each day in accidents
• 33,000 people driving large trucks are injured each year
• 6.3% of U.S. truck drivers are injured each year.

Injured Truckers Need Legal Representation

A qualified Parkersburg 18-wheeler accident attorney should offer a free case review. If they decide to take on your legal matter, they should not require an up-front fee. Truckers with a trucking injury claim are generally taken on a contingency fee basis. In other words, your Parkersburg truck accident attorney is only paid if you receive compensation for your injuries.

Injured Truckers Need to Know Their Rights

As a trucker, you have rights you need to be aware of. It is not uncommon for aggressive insurance companies to contact you shortly after the accident in an effort to try to get you to settle quickly and convince you that you want the matter to go away. In many cases, injuries are not so quick to heal. Many times the injuries can be permanent, long-lasting, and career-threatening. That is why you need a competent Parkersburg truck accident lawyer that is not only prepared to mediate a resolution, but also prepared to take your case to court.

When Negligence Changes a Trucker’s Life

Qualified Parkersburg truck accident lawyers know exactly how to provide nationwide representation for truckers injured in trucking accidents caused by a variety of negligent acts and mechanical malfunctions, including:

• Rear-end, Head-On Crashes and Jackknives
• Poor Maintenance, including Tires and Brakes
• Driver Fatigue
• Unsecured Loads
• Aggressive Driving
• DWI/Drug Use
• Lack of Reflectors and Poor Visibility

Since trucking laws are governed by hundreds of regulations, litigation can be very complex. Hiring a semi truck accident attorney who specializes in the numerous trucking laws throughout the United States is essential for a successful verdict outcome. For more information about trucking laws or to schedule an appointment with an experienced commercial truck injury lawyer, contact a truck injury attorney today.

When an 18 Wheeler accident occurs, your Parkersburg truck accident lawyer will check the truck driver’s credentials to see if he/she attended an accredited Commercial Drivers’ License (CDL) school. In Parkersburg, West Virginia, one truck driving school is West Virginia University at Parkersburg, 300 Campus Drive, Parkersburg, WV 26104-8647, (304) 424-8000, although there are many others throughout the country. See the Nationwide List of Accredited CDL Schools for a more comprehensive list.

Truck Accident Attorneys for Injured Truckers Serve Parkersburg and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Northwestern West Virginia, including Athens, Beverly, Bridgeport, Caldwell, Elizabeth, Fairmont, Glenville, Grantsville, Middlebourne, Moundsville, New Martinsville, New Milton, Parkersburg, Point Pleasant, Pomeroy, Ripley, Slate, Spencer, Spencer, St. Marys, Sutton, Woodsfield, areas in the vicinity of Wood County Airport/Gill Robb Wilson Field, and other communities in Wood County.

Parkersburg truck accident attorneys for injured truckers are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Parkersburg 18 wheeler accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.