Charleston Personal Injury Law Blog

There are many ways in which whiplash can occur, from contact sports to amusement park rides. However, the most common way it occurs is through motor vehicle accidents. 

Although many people talk about whiplash following car accidents, few seem to be aware of the overall impact it can have on a person's life. One scientific study found that it can take up to two years for whiplash symptoms to stabilize. There are also patients who continue to experience the symptoms seven years after the initial incident. Some people may require years of medical treatments and medications.

West Virginia's economy makes it a unique place for commercial trucking. Trucks that may not be present on roads in many parts of the country, such as coal trucks or logging trucks, can be commonplace in the Mountain State. 

Along with these West Virginia industries come the risks inherent in these particular types of trucks. Accidents involving coal trucks and logging trucks can cause injuries that are much more catastrophic than those from a typical passenger car accident. 

As you spend a great deal of time on the roads and highways of West Virginia, you probably notice many trucks going about their business. As long you do not encounter an imminent accident risk, you might not give a second thought to sharing the road with one of these large semis. However, what about the typical truck driver lifestyle? Can a trucker’s daily habits create a dangerous situation that you would not know about until it is too late?

As you may know, truck drivers are often on the road for hours at a time. Truck driver fatigue is an issue that has plagued the trucking industry since the beginning. Despite regulations that restrict the number of hours truckers can be behind the wheel before getting some sleep, drowsy driving accounts for a large portion of truck accidents across the country. There are other factors, however, in the average truck driver’s lifestyle that commonly result in collisions or near misses. These may include the following:

• Long hours of sitting and the lack of physical activity contributing to a decline in a truck driver’s overall health
• Poor diet that often includes fast food or convenience store snacks, which may result in obesity, diabetes and heart disease
• Anxiety and depression brought on by long hours of isolation and stress about getting shipments to their destination on time

Common wisdom on the road states that if someone hits your car from behind, it is always the other driver's fault. However, when it comes to real-life incidents, many details come into play and this may not always be the case. The laws and circumstances surrounding rear-end collisions can be complex.

Additionally, if you are hurt as a result of a rear-end crash, you may have sustained injuries that require medical attention and perhaps long-term care. When medical bills start to pile up and insurance companies begin to push back about paying claims, the whole situation can feel overwhelming.