Six years ago, 17 year old Eric Breeden was killed when a tractor trailer ran a red light at an intersection on Route 460. An accident reconstructionist determined the truck was going nearly 80 miles an hour when it entered the intersection.

In an effort to prevent future tragedies like this, Eric's father petitioned the state to drop the speed limit at intersections along Route 460. According to the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, the speed limit was lowered to 50 mph at intersections and warning lights have been installed to alert truckers and other drivers that they are approaching a traffic signal.

Accidents like Eric Breeden's and others highlight the dangers of truck accidents, especially when those accidents involve cars and other, smaller vehicles. Due to the disparity in size, victims of truck accidents often experience severe injuries such as spinal or traumatic brain injuries, or even death.

Personal injury and wrongful death cases have strict timelines for filing claims and it is important not to let these pass by. If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed in a truck accident, contact the West Virginia Truck Accident Attorneys of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414. We represent accident victims in Fairmont, Clarksburg, Morgantown, and throughout North Central West Virginia.

There is no such thing as a small motorcycle accident. While these accidents cannot always be avoided, there are things that motorcyclists can do that can reduce the risk. 

Our friends who operate motorcycles need to do everything possible to protect themselves.  Now that our weather is changing from winter to spring and summer our clients who drive motorcycles are out and about enjoying the weather and the freedom a motorcycle brings. 

At the same time, the more motorcycles that are on our highways the more opportunities there are for motorcyclists and their passengers to be injured by the negligence of a person operating a car or truck.  Motorcyclists know better than anyone that for whatever reason persons who operate cars and trucks simply do not see and often times ignore the motorcycle coming directly in their path.  As a result, motorcyclists and their passengers are severely injured and killed on an all too frequent basis. 

 People who operate motorcycles are reminded to drive defensively, always have your headlight on, and always wear your helmet.  Protective clothing, eye protection and boots will also protect you from injury. 

Also, there is an increasing number of motorcycle wrecks that occur because the driver is drunk or intoxicated.  Every weekend there is a poker run or motorcycle rally in our area.  Often times the venues are bars and restaurants that serve alcohol.  What occurs from time to time is that the person driving the motorcycle might have 1 beer or drink at each stop.  If there are 6 stops then there are 6 beers.  You see the point!

Don’t let a good time turn into a lifetime of pain, suffering and mental anguish.  Protect yourself, protect your passenger and protect your future.  
 
I represent people who are seriously injured in motorcycle accidents in Clarksburg, Fairmont, Elkins, Morgantown, Buckhannon, and throughout North Central West Virginia.  These injuries often result in broken bones, head injuries, and unfortunately death.  If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, contact the West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Attorneys of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.

Colombo & Stuhr recently completed a 12 week video series titled "Legally Speaking" that was televised on WDTV. The series was aimed to help consumers make informed decisions regarding a variety of  legal issues.

Each week we focused on a different topic aimed to help inform the viewing public. We started off by discussing how our law firm handles cases and explained how to make informed decisions that will be financially sound . 

In week 2, the topic was "Who do you call first after an accident?" providing valuable information regarding the appropriate steps to take after a car, truck or motorcycle accident.

Week 3 covered "How cases get resolved." The discussion centered around the difference between settlements and cases that go to trial.

Next we discussed "Insurance coverage." Types of coverages, limits of liability, state minimum coverage, the uninsured and the underinsured were covered.

In week 5 we introduced our exclusive "eCase Status" system that allows us to provide near real time updates to our clients' cases 24/7 via our website.

Our website was the week 6 topic, which currently features answers to Frequently Asked Questions and other useful information that can be accessed anytime for free.

The next topic was "Medical payments coverage" on your automobile insurance policy and how it can help when you are involved in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident.

Motorcycle accidents led the discussion in week 8. We talked about how motorcycle accidents can be among the worst accidents, especially when the accident involves a car or truck.

Have you ever thought to yourself "Do I need a lawyer?" We discussed how a qualified and trusted attorney will handle your case and can help you get through your situation in the best possible way.

Week 10 we covered health insurance and medical expenses after an accident. Who pays the bills before your case is resolved?

One of the questions we get asked most often is "How much is my case worth?". We cover this topic in order for you to make a better informed decision regarding your situation. 

In the final episode, the advice given was "Hire an experienced lawyer that is looking out for your interests"

Thanks for watching!

Davis Health System Foundation will hold its 2nd Annual Motorcycle Ride on June 27, 2009 with Colombo & Stuhr as the primary sponsor.

The ride is approximately 150 miles traveling from Elkins to Thornwood to Monterey, VA, to Franklin, to Harman, and ending back in Elkins. There will be six stops (see map in attached flyer).

9:30 until 10 a.m.
Registration at HomePlus parking lot located at the corner of Buffalo St. & Randolph Ave.

10 a.m.
Ride begins from HomePlus parking lot

3 p.m.
Return to Elkins

3 until 5 p.m.
Meal at HomePlus parking lot

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, contact the West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Attorneys of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.

Motorcycle riding has become more popular in recent years, appealing to a new group of enthusiasts consisting of older and more affluent riders. Sales of all types of two-wheelers reached about 1,158,000 in 2006, a level not seen in about 30 years. At the same time motorcycle fatalities have also been climbing, reaching their highest level in 2006 since 1981. There has been a dramatic jump in the number of deaths among motorcycle riders age 40 and older in recent years.

Motorcycles are by their nature far less crashworthy than closed vehicles. They are also less visible to other drivers and pedestrians and less stable than four-wheel vehicles. Operating a motorcycle requires a different combination of physical and mental skills than those used in driving four-wheel vehicles. Motorcyclists and their passengers are more vulnerable to the hazards of weather and road conditions than drivers in closed vehicles.

Motorcycle insurance is widely available. As motorcycles became more popular, more insurers entered the market. Now, most of the top ten auto insurers offer motorcycle insurance, either as an endorsement to a personal automobile policy or as a separate policy, in most of the states in which they operate. Many have recently expanded into new states.

KEY FACTS
-According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2006 4,810 people died in motorcycle crashes, up 5.1 percent from 4,576 in 2005 to the highest level since 1981.

-Motorcycle crash fatalities have increased every year for the past nine years.

-There were 6.2 million motorcycles on U.S. roads in 2005, according to the latest data available from the Federal Highway Administration, compared with 137.4 million passenger cars.

-Motorcycles accounted nearly 3 percent of all registered motor vehicles and 0.4 percent of vehicle miles traveled in 2006, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Some 104,000 motorcycles were involved in crashes in 2006, including property damage-only crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

-Motorcyclists were 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash in 2006, per vehicle mile traveled, and eight times more likely to be injured,according to NHTSA.

-The fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2006 was 5.5 times the fatality rate for passenger car occupants per registered vehicle, according to the latest data from NHTSA.

Motorcycle accidents are very dangerous. If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, contact the Morgantown Motorcycle Accident Lawyers of Colombo & Stuhr PLLC at 800-860-1414.