Do you remember the first time you got behind the driver’s seat of a car? Were you in driver’s education class with an instructor, or were you getting lessons from one of your parents? You probably drove very slowly and were extremely cautious. Ironically, the more time we spend behind the wheel, the more we take the process for granted, which can lead to becoming less cautious.

A survey conducted by insurance companies found that the average driver will file a collision claim once every 17 years. In West Virginia, the U.S. Department of Transportation found that in 2024, 779 motorists were involved in non-fatal crashes. That averages out to around 2 accidents every day.

The most effective way to avoid a car accident is to never drive in a car, but that is not practical. What can work is understanding the common causes of car accidents and being proactive with your driving habits to help avoid them.

When you’ve been involved in a car accident, gathering evidence to support your case is crucial for building a strong personal injury claim. Solid evidence can establish fault, prove the extent of your injuries, and help you recover compensation for damages.

Taking the right steps immediately after the accident and in the weeks following can make all the difference.

We, as a society, entrust nursing homes with the care of some of our most vulnerable individuals.

Unfortunately, not all facilities uphold their responsibility to provide a safe and respectful environment, and while the financial website WalletHub reports that West Virginia ranks ninth in the nation for elder abuse protections, these incidents still happen in the mountain state and must be addressed.

Medical malpractice cases can be quite complex and often require substantial evidence to prove that a healthcare provider’s negligence caused a patient harm.

If you believe you’ve been a victim of medical malpractice, gathering the right documents is crucial for building a strong case. These records will help demonstrate the standard of care you received, how it deviated from what is expected, and the impact it has had on your health and life.

Here are the key documents you’ll need for a medical malpractice case.

Getting your driver’s license is one of the most exciting milestones in life, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility.

West Virginia has a Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program. Instead of jumping right into full driving privileges, the GDL program gives teens a chance to learn the ropes step by step while minimizing risks.

Let’s look at what you need to know about West Virginia’s GDL program and how it works.

Getting bitten by a dog can be traumatic. Alongside the emotional damage, you need to take care of your physical injuries. Since dogs have bacteria in their mouths, you might need to take steps to attend to the wound.

There is always the worry about infections, especially tetanus. So, how do you know if you need a tetanus shot after a dog bite? Here is what you need to do to protect your health.

Riding a motorcycle offers a special freedom, excitement, and a sense of adventure that’s unmatched by other forms of transportation. However, it still comes with some risks that require responsible safety measures to avoid a motorcycle accident. Wearing a motorcycle helmet has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to protect yourself while enjoying the open road.

Here are 10 reasons to wear a motorcycle helmet and why this vital piece of gear should be a non-negotiable part of your ride.

1. Protect Your Brain

Your brain is your most valuable organ, and a helmet serves as your first line of defense. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are common in motorcycle crashes, especially in accidents with larger vehicles like cars and trucks, and even a minor impact can cause significant damage.

Helmets absorb and distribute the force of a collision, reducing the likelihood of severe brain trauma.

Without this protection, the consequences can be devastating.

2. Reduce the Risk of Fatalities

Statistics consistently show that wearing a helmet reduces the risk of death in motorcycle accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), helmets are approximately 37% effective in preventing fatalities for riders and 41% effective for passengers.

Those few seconds it takes to strap on a helmet could make the difference between life and death.

You were recently involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer in Charleston, WV and suffered serious injuries that are likely to change the trajectory of your life, or a close family member died from their involvement in a trucking crash in Kanawha County. You have significant losses, and you’re wondering who can be held liable for a truck accident like yours or your family member’s.

Liability is often a difficult issue to sort out after any motor vehicle collision, but when an 18-wheeler or another truck is involved, it can be even more so. Let us explain.

If there is a spill or wet floor, you expect to see those yellow signs pop up in the store or business. But are they required by law? Many times, these establishments want to notify their customers and employees of a potential risk. If they fail to do so, it can be an issue of premises liability.

Do stores have to put out wet floor signs? The lawyers at DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC have an answer for you.

Below we’d like to share Attorney Tim DiPiero‘s thoughts on the recent execution of Marcellus Williams and the legal ramifications of the act:

“It is hard to believe that the State of Missouri with the approval of the United States Supreme Court actually executed Marcellus Williams. This execution occurred not only over the objection of the victim’s family but also over that of the prosecuting attorney’s office which prosecuted Williams. Executing Marcellus Williams under these circumstances is beyond outrageous!