Wrecks account for 20% of civil cases

March 13--Whether it be a fender bender, a T-bone, or a mlti-vehicle pileup, accidents can cause headaches.

The costs could include rising insurance rates and paying to repair damages.

The hits to the pocketbook don't end there. Many people find themselves in front of a judge because of a wreck, as a party in a civil suit.

The Dominion Post reviewed cases filed in Monongalia County Circuit Court in 2017 and found about 20 percent were in some way related to operation of motor vehicles. Parties sue for the cost of damage to property, to cover medical bills and lost work as the result of a crash. They can also sue to have the insurance company pay for costs.

The case total does not include cases filed in Magistrate Court, where the amount sought would be below $10,000.

One local lawyer said these procedures are necessary to make sure people get what they deserve.

"Mostly because there is pain and suffering," said Matt Thorn, of Sal, Sellaro, Thorn and Culpepper.

Often insurance companies will present a low offer and that is when legal counsel can help, Thorn said.

If someone is injured in a car wreck they should contact legal counsel right away, he said. The firm can start its investigation and obtain evidence, such as video from nearby cameras, before it is gone. The firm can also let people know if they don't have a case.

Jared Moore, of the Moore Law Firm, said they represent plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits. From their perspective, suits are necessary to make sure people can get the money they deserve.

There could be things such as costs for medical bills, but there are also costs for issues such as lost pay and pain and suffering, Moore said.

Many times people will contact them after negotiating their own settlement, asking them to review the case, he said. If they think they can help they will take on the case. Moore added many times lawyers help people through the legal process or in negotiations where they might not have expertise.

Attorney Lance Rollo said the work lawyers do on a case can be wide ranging, from hand-holding through a legal process to setting up doctor's appointments.

Typically they will do investigations and talk to witnesses and get police reports when looking into a car wreck lawsuit, he said.

Many people don't know where to start, Rollo said, as they have never gone through a similar process. He added that most cases are settled well before being presented to a jury.

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