Car Accident Lawyers in Bridgeport, West Virginia

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts to be safe drivers, car accidents still happen. Some auto accidents in Bridgeport, WV are minor while others can cause catastrophic injuries or even death, as well as lasting financial, emotional, and physical damage. Luckily, our car accident attorneys at Kaufman & McPherson are here to help.

How Can a Bridgeport Car Accident Attorney Help?

By retaining the services of a law firm after an accident, you can help ensure a successful personal injury claim. A qualified personal injury lawyer will work on your behalf to win you a settlement that is fair and covers all of the costs – both tangible and intangible – of a motor vehicle accident.

Why Choose Kaufman & McPherson PLLC?

At Kaufman & McPherson, our personal injury attorneys are experienced, professional, and have a strong winning record. We don’t hesitate to take on insurance companies, government entities, automobile manufacturers, other drivers, or anyone else who might be at fault, no matter how formidable.

Our practice area includes Bridgeport and the surrounding area, including Morgantown, Grafton, and Buckhannon. As a West Virginia personal injury law firm, we are equipped to handle not only auto accidents but also motorcycle accidents, truck accidents involving tractor-trailers, and so forth. 

We know that medical bills, property damage, or the wrongful death of a loved one can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming, which is why we are here to offer real-time assistance in the aftermath of a car accident. If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in the state of West Virginia, contact us today.

Bridgeport Auto Accident Statistics

Between 1975 and 2017, there were 43 fatal automobile accidents in Bridgeport, involving 66 vehicles and killing 47 people. The majority of these fatal accidents occurred on I-79. Fortunately, Bridgeport has a relatively quick EMS response time – 5.8 minutes on average, which is far better than the West Virginia state average of 10.9 minutes.

Most Common Crash Types in West Virginia

One of the most common types of car accidents in West Virginia is head-on collisions when two cars are moving towards each other and crash straight into each other. This type of accident unfortunately frequently results in fatalities because of the extreme compounded force.

Rear-end accidents are also quite common, which is where the front of one vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle. This type of accident is often the result of a car following too closely behind the car in front and then being unable to stop in time when the forward car slows or stops.

T-bone collisions happen when the front of one car strikes the side of another car at a perpendicular angle. These crashes are also sometimes called broadside or side-angle crashes as well, and they can be incredibly dangerous for vehicle occupants seated on the side that is struck by the second car.

Sideswipe accidents occur when the side of one vehicle contacts the side of another vehicle. These accidents are often caused when one vehicle drifts out of its lane or when a driver changes lanes without checking for other vehicles nearby.

Car accidents can also be chain-reaction crashes that involve many vehicles or they can be single-vehicle accidents, where a car strikes an immobile obstacle like a median or guardrail or involving pedestrians or bicyclists.

The 7 Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in West Virginia

Some car accidents are caused by manufacturing defects or malfunctions, but the vast majority of crashes are caused by human error. Here are the seven most common causes:

1. Speeding. The faster a driver is going, the less time he or she has to react to dangers on the roadway, other drivers, and other changing conditions. Speeding doesn’t necessarily only mean exceeding the posted speed limit – driving too fast for the current road conditions can also be considered speeding even if the driver is traveling slower than the posted limit.
2. Distracted Driving. There are three different kinds of driving distractions: visual distractions, cognitive distractions, and manual distractions. Texting is a particularly serious offense because it causes all three types of distractions.
3. Alcohol Impairment. Drinking impairs many skills necessary for safe driving, such as response time, the ability to steer and brake effectively, the ability to visually track moving objects, and so forth.
4. Fatigued Driving. Fatigue can be nearly as dangerous as drunk driving and causes many of the same impairments.
5. Confusion or Getting Lost. Drivers who have made an error in navigation are more likely to make subsequent errors that can lead to a crash.
6. Defective Car Parts. There are rare instances where car manufacturers do make mistakes and a faulty part can cause an accident or make it worse. 
7. Lack of Maintenance. A vehicle that is not maintained properly becomes dangerous. One of the main culprits is tire blowouts, which happen when tires aren’t replaced on a regular schedule. Other maintenance issues include failure to replace worn down brake pads, burnt-out signal lights, or worn-out windshield wipers.

Driver Error and Vehicle Crashes

Driver error can result in catastrophic injuries for both the driver and passengers in the at-fault vehicle as well as drivers and passengers of nearby vehicles. The medical expenses incurred from a vehicle crash can be devastating, and the impact can be lifelong, such as with brain injuries, paralysis, and amputations. Our personal injury lawyers can help you get the settlement that you are entitled to.

Free Legal Advice & Case Evaluation

At Kaufman & McPherson, we offer a free initial consultation to anyone who thinks they have a personal injury case. In our law office, we take your legal issues seriously and can offer you free legal advice as well as help you determine if your personal injury case is worth pursuing. All of our legal services are on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us anything unless we win the case for you. 

To get started with your case, call us at 304-842-4300. We look forward to helping!