Author Archives: Kevin S. Kaufman
Who Is at Fault in a West Virginia SUV Rollover Accident?
Though an SUV may look sturdy, this type of vehicle can be especially prone to rollover accidents, due in part to their weight distribution and higher center of gravity. A sharp turn at high speed or an impact with a road hazard or other stationary object can cause an SUV to tip onto its side… Read More »
Who Pays If You’re Injured in a West Virginia Rideshare Accident?
Rideshare vehicle services are changing the way Americans get around, but entrusting your safety to an app car driver has its risks. Companies like Uber, Lyft, Via and Juno make it relatively easy for anyone to enter the pick-up business without any experience or training. Whether or not this increases the chances of an accident,… Read More »
What Are the Advantages to Mediating a Divorce in West Virginia?
If you have decided to dissolve your marriage, you might be dreading an ugly, drawn-out court battle. But, fortunately, that might not be necessary. If you and your spouse are candidates for mediation, you may be able to reach a comprehensive marital settlement that you simply present to the court for approval. Mediation allows couples… Read More »
Can I Claim Future Medical Expenses in a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
If you have been seriously injured from an auto accident, a slip and fall, or medical malpractice, you have probably accumulated a fortune in medical bills. You’d like to settle your claim to recoup those losses, but when you’re still receiving treatment for your injuries, you don’t know how long you may require medical care…. Read More »
When Will a West Virginia Divorce Court Order Mediation?
The West Virginia judiciary has instituted rules in the family court system requiring parents to mediate parenting issues when they cannot reach agreement. A judge can order mediation during divorce or custody proceedings or when a parent petitions to modify an existing parenting plan. Mediation allows parents to develop a plan that meets the needs… Read More »
What Is the “Open and Obvious” Defense to Premises Liability Claims in West Virginia?
In the last few years, West Virginia has seen the state Supreme Court abolish the “open and obvious” defense to premises liability accidents, only to have the state legislature pass a statute in an attempt to restore the defense. But exactly what does the open and obvious defense entail, and how can it affect your… Read More »
What Happens When a Custodial Parent in West Virginia Wants to Relocate?
One of the most challenging issues in child custody arises when a custodial parent wants to move out of state or at a distance that substantially burdens the other parent’s contact with the child. Parents seek to relocate for a number of reasons, including: To be closer to extended family To pursue a new career… Read More »
How to Safely Share the Road with Large Commercial Trucks
Many passenger car drivers get extremely nervous on the highway around tractor-trailers. The sheer size of these carriers is intimidating, and anyone who has ever seen the aftermath of a tractor-trailer accident understands the massive destructive force big rigs can wield at highway speeds. Unfortunately, motorists who tense up while close to commercial trucks can… Read More »
Keys to Negotiating the Best Parenting Plan in a West Virginia Divorce
If you are going through a custody dispute, perhaps as part of a divorce, it is usually best to negotiate a parenting plan with your children’s other parent. A negotiated settlement of your custody issues allows you greater control over the outcome, whereas litigating the issue in court puts the decision in the hands of… Read More »
What Are the Most Dangerous Types of Collisions Between a Passenger Car and a Truck?
Many motorists get nervous driving on a highway near a large commercial truck, with good reason. When a tractor-trailer collides with a passenger car, there’s little question about which vehicle will sustain greater damage. While commercial trucks are involved in fewer accidents than passenger vehicles, the accidents involving trucks are often catastrophic. So, is there… Read More »