Morgantown Personal Injury Lawyers

Injuries caused by the carelessness of another person can be frustrating. Whether you were hurt by a reckless driver, a negligent product manufacturer, or a careless property owner, you may be able to recover the costs of your injury in a claim. A Morgantown personal injury lawyer can make the process much easier, preventing you from having to navigate complex legal statutes and insurance company negotiations alone.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer at Hansberry & Wagoner, PLLC

Legal guidance can help you hold negligent parties liable and recover full compensation, rather than accepting a low settlement offer. At Hansberry & Wagoner, PLLC, we have over 30 years of combined legal experience, and we pride ourselves on exceptional support for our clients. Our attorneys have defense backgrounds, so we understand how insurance companies and the defense operate.

When you bring your case to our firm, you work with our attorneys directly, instead of managing your case with a support team. We work with you to assess your case, the damages you might recover, and how to effectively handle the claim.

When necessary, our attorneys can fight for you in litigation to recover full and reasonable compensation. Personal injury cases in Morgantown are generally handled at The Monongalia County Justice Center at 75 High Street. Our willingness to take cases to trial can help us recover better settlements, but we never push for a quick settlement if it isn’t in your interests.

Personal Injury Claims We Can Help With

There are many different kinds of personal injury claims. Some of them are filed directly in civil court, while others are first managed through insurance claims. Different types of claims may require distinctive methods of investigation, have different potential at-fault parties, and lead to unique injuries. These variables are why you want to work with an attorney who is well-versed in cases similar to yours.

At Hansberry & Wagoner, PLLC, we have experience in a wide range of personal injury cases. We can help you with many types of claims, including:

• Car accidents. When another driver causes an accident, they can be held liable for the damages they cause. Usually, injured drivers and passengers can file claims with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. There are many reasons why a driver might be liable, including distracted driving or speeding.
  
  There were 814 serious traffic injuries reported in 2022 in West Virginia. Drunk or impaired driving is one common cause of serious injuries and fatal accidents. There were 831 arrests for impaired driving in the state in 2023.

• Road rage injuries. You may be able to file a claim against a party who causes you harm in a road rage incident. These issues do not always arise during a crash. However, if you suffer damages because someone commits a crime, such as intimidation, assault, or battery, you might be able to hold them liable for those damages in court.

• Truck accidents. Collisions involving commercial trucks are more likely to involve multiple vehicles and result in serious or catastrophic injuries. Filing a claim for these accidents is more complicated for many reasons, including the more substantial damages, the many parties that might be liable, and the likelihood of having to deal with a commercial trucking company’s insurance.

• Motorcycle accidents. When you are in a traffic accident on a motorcycle, you are much more likely to face severe injuries. On top of this, many motorcyclists are unfairly blamed for the crash, or insurers make arguments for assumed risk.

• Child injuries. When children are injured because of the negligence of others, they are not usually able to file a claim on their own. Instead, a parent or guardian has to file the claim. These claims can be especially stressful when trying to balance the well-being of a child with the financial support a claim provides.

• Dog bite injuries. Dog attacks and bites can cause serious injuries, including infectious diseases. If a dog owner allows their dog to run free, the owner is liable for any damage to property or to people. Dog attacks can be especially harmful for the elderly, children, and those who are disabled.

• Oil and gas workplace injuries. There were 95 severe injury reports in the workplace in West Virginia in 2024, four of which were reports from Morgantown businesses. The oil and gas industry is one of the more dangerous forms of work in the area and can result in serious harm to employees. In some cases, an employee may be able to file a personal injury claim against a third party.

• Pedestrian accidents. When pedestrians are involved in vehicle collisions, it can have devastating consequences. A negligent driver can be held liable for damages, but this can be hard to do as you recover from severe injuries.

• ATV accidents. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility terrain vehicles (UTVs or side-by-sides) can sometimes cause injuries because of poor design or because of the carelessness of other ATV or side-by side operators. If you are hurt because of the dangerous design of an ATV or UTV or because of another driver, you might be able to hold that party liable.

• Boat accidents. Morgantown sits on the Monongahela River and near Cheat Lake and Tygart Lake, so recreational boating and similar activities are common. Incidents while boating can happen during recreation or can harm maritime employees on the waterways. These incidents may be caused by negligent boat operators, faulty parts, dangerous machinery, and other issues.

• Medical malpractice. Medical professionals must follow the accepted standard of care when treating their patients. When providers fail to act with reasonable care that others in their field would have and cause an injury, you may be able to hold that provider liable. Cases involving surgical errors, prescription mistakes, misdiagnosis, or other acts of medical negligence are exceptionally complex and require specific steps to be taken.

• Premises liability. Property owners have a certain level of responsibility to keep their premises safe. One of the most common claims for premises liability is a slip-and-fall claim. These accidents can be caused by low lighting, loose carpeting, slippery floors, and other hazards that cause people to fall and hurt themselves.

• Catastrophic injuries. Some accidents result in severe injuries, leading to disfiguring and painful burns, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), and spinal cord damage. Because of the severe harm caused by these injuries, compensation must consider the long-term personal and financial costs. An in-depth assessment of damages is crucial.

• Wrongful death. Wrongful death claims can arise when negligence leads to a death. Surviving family members can hold parties liable for their carelessness. There are many accidents that often lead to fatal injuries, like truck accidents, medical malpractice, and even slip-and-falls. Unintentional falls led to 342 deaths in West Virginia in 2023, and there were 266 fatalities in vehicle accidents in the state in 2022.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Average Fee for a Personal Injury Lawyer?

A: The average fee for a personal injury lawyer depends on the attorney and the specifics of your case. Most personal injury lawyers charge a contingency fee, which means you don’t owe them attorney’s fees if they cannot obtain compensation. A contingency fee is a percentage of the total settlement. The percentage can vary based on the attorney’s experience, the complexity of your case, the resources it requires, and whether the case goes to trial.

Q: What Shouldn’t You Say to an Injury Lawyer?

A: Generally, you should be entirely honest and upfront with an injury lawyer. Even if you were partially at fault for your own injury, you may still be able to recover damages, although they may be limited. By sharing all relevant information with your attorney, you give them the tools they need to handle your case appropriately. When talking with an attorney, never undermine the severity of your injuries and instead be honest about their effect on your life.

Q: What Is the Hardest Injury to Prove in a Claim?

A: The hardest injury to prove in a claim is one with less clear objective evidence, such as soft tissue injuries, certain types of brain injuries, and emotional and psychological injuries. These injuries may rely more heavily on medical professionals’ opinions and evaluation, rather than visible medical scans. This can make it harder to get insurers to agree to damages for those injuries, but a skilled attorney can help.

Q: How Hard Is It to Win a Personal Injury Claim?

A: It can be difficult to win a personal injury claim, although it is easier when you have proof of liability and the damages you suffered. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to gather this evidence. Your case is much more likely to be successful with the help of an attorney, who can also deal with insurance companies for you, negotiate with involved parties, and refuse to accept insufficient settlement offers.

Find the Right Morgantown Personal Injury Attorney

Find the Right Morgantown Personal Injury Attorney At Hansberry & Wagoner, PLLC, our dedicated legal team knows how challenging personal injury claims can be. You don’t have to face your injury case alone. When you need to hire a personal injury lawyer with legal experience and compassionate support, reach out to Hansberry & Wagoner, PLLC.