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Need a Personal Injury Lawyer After an Injury in West Virginia?

If you have been injured in West Virginia, you may be entitled to damages. The personal injury attorneys at Stewart Bell, PLLC have devoted over forty years to serving injury victims in Charleston, Dunbar, Huntington, and across West Virginia. We handle your case without any upfront fees. Call Stewart Bell, PLLC, to discuss your legal options for free.

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At Stewart Bell, we are dedicated to helping individuals in West Virginia pursue recoverable damages after an injury. We fight hard to safeguard the rights of our treasured community members. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer in West Virginia today at (304) 345-1700 for a complimentary case evaluation.

Help Is at Your Fingertips

Getting help with your case is as easy as a call or a click. We take it from there!

We Fight for Justice

You’ve suffered enough, and we work hard to bring you the full settlement you’re owed.

You Don’t Pay Unless We Win

We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs or hidden fees — you don’t pay unless we win for you!

How Can a Lawyer Help You Recover Damages?

Stewart Bell is committed to alleviating the burden on accident victims by managing the entire claims process and legal proceedings. We use our background, cutting-edge technology, and a team of lawyers to ensure that each case is handled with the utmost care and attention, allowing clients to focus on recovery.

Cases We Handle 

Stewart Bell manages a variety of personal injury cases from car accidents to wrongful death. We adapt our resources to meet the specific needs of each client, handling all aspects of the claims process from evidence gathering to settlement negotiation. Since 1980, the personal injury lawyers at Stewart Bell have been dedicated advocates for the residents and businesses of West Virginia. 

Although not an exhaustive list, below are the cases Stewart Bell typically handles: 

Our firm has successfully assisted many families in similar situations to obtain justice and secure millions in recovery. Click below to discover how Stewart Bell, PLLC achieves the best possible outcome for your settlement.

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Compensation for Personal Injuries

In a personal injury case, one can receive different types of damages, including economic, non-economic, and punitive.

Economic damages cover quantifiable losses, such as lost earning capacity, property damage, current and future medical expenses, and lost wages. 

Factors such as the severity of your injuries, your anticipated earnings before and after the accident, the field in which you work, and your age play an essential role in estimating the financial impact of the earnings you’re likely to forfeit due to your injuries.

You have the right to seek compensation for property damage as a part of recovering economic losses. You may be eligible for payments that not only address the costs of repairing or replacing the property but also compensation for its decreased worth caused by the accident.

Medical expenses can also be covered under economic damages. These range from psychological therapy, physical rehabilitation, medications, hospital stays, surgical procedures, etc.

Typically, a portion of your personal injury settlement will need to be used to pay off any remaining medical bills. Your attorney will factor in medical costs as a primary basis for determining the desired amount for your settlement.

Non-economic damages represent losses that don’t have a monetary value. These often encompass the impact on relationships with loved ones, such as loss of companionship or consortium due to injuries. Other examples of non-economic damages include reduced quality of life, emotional distress, and pain and suffering. According to WV Code §55-7B-8, West Virginia impose limits on non-economic damages, restricting the amount you can claim for these types of non-financial hardships.

Punitive damages are awarded by courts in cases where the defendant’s behavior is exceptionally harmful or egregious. This level of misconduct includes actions that are reckless, grossly negligent, or demonstrate a severe indifference to the rights and safety of others.

West Virginia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. In cases concerning wrongful death, personal injury, or property damage, or based on tort or similar legal theories, compensation is determined by the law of comparative fault. This approach allocates liability for damages among all parties involved in proportion to each individual’s fault percentage.

Statute of Limitations 

In West Virginia, anyone pursuing a personal injury lawsuit must file a claim within 2 years of the accident, according to WV Code §55-2-12. Missing this deadline will likely result in forfeiting the right to claim any compensation. For legal guidance and a complimentary case evaluation, contact us to speak with an experienced West Virginia personal injury attorney at Stewart Bell.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injuries

It is generally advisable to avoid discussing your accident on social media or with other parties.

The timeline for receiving compensation varies depending on the complexity of your case and whether a settlement is reached out of court or through a trial.

Should I Accept a Settlement Offer from the Insurance Company?

Following an injury or accident, you might feel inclined to take a settlement offer quickly. The money received can help manage your expenses while you recover and before you return to work. However, accepting a settlement offer without legal advice is not advisable. 

The first offer from the insurance company often falls short of fairly compensating your damages, typically being much lower than what you deserve.

Do not cash any check sent by the insurance company, as this may waive your right to full compensation for your damages. Rather, contact a personal injury attorney at Stewart Bell to review your case.

Tactics Insurance Companies Use to Minimize Your Claim

As you work to reclaim your losses, you may find that the greatest challenge comes from the tactics insurance companies use to minimize your claim. Initially, claims adjusters may present themselves as understanding and sympathetic to your situation. Once you decline their initial settlement offer, which is usually quite low, their stance may dramatically shift. They may try to limit or completely avoid compensating you by arguing that your injuries were present before the incident, minimizing the severity of your injuries, or outright denying that you were injured. 

They might blame you for the accident or suggest that pursuing legal action will not result in a more favorable outcome. Despite the pressure they may place on you, never agree to accept less than what you deserve. You do not have to handle this situation alone. Call Stewart Bell, PLLC at (304) 345-1700 to schedule a free case review. 

What Often Represents Negligence in a Legal Setting?

Negligence is a crucial part of personal injury law. It means someone didn’t take proper care or caution and caused an accident. If someone causes a car accident, makes a mistake in a medical procedure, or doesn’t clean up leading to a fall, that’s negligence. If you get hurt because someone else was careless, you may be able to get money to help with your injuries. This requires proving that their carelessness directly caused your injury. At Stewart Bell in West Virginia, experienced personal injury lawyers help injured people stand up for their rights and make sure those who were negligent are held responsible.

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Get a Free Case Review with a West Virginia Personal Injury Lawyer 

No two cases are the same, making it essential to consult with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. Our lawyers can guide you through the complex process of a personal injury lawsuit and help you seek maximum compensation. Contact us today at (304) 345-1700 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

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For more than 30 years, the lawyers of Stewart Bell, PLLC have helped the people and businesses of West Virginia protect their interests and rights. We understand the issues that injured people and their families face after an accident and work quickly to obtain the MAXIMUM amount of compensation for every case we handle.

We have recovered MILLIONS of dollars for clients injured because of nursing home abuse, motor vehicle accidents or medical malpractice.

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