We see it all too frequently on the winding roads of West Virginia - an 18 wheeler or overloaded coal truck overturned on the highway with ambulances and police cars racing to the scene. The sad fact of the vast majority of these accidents is that they are preventable.

When an 18 wheeler or coal truck collides with another car, the force of the impact can be twice as much as what it would be in an accident between two similar sized vehicles. The outcome can also be catastrophic. The negligent driver of the 18 wheeler usually walks away from the accident, while the passengers of the other car are left to deal with serious injuries if they are lucky enough to have survived.

Companies that operate these large trucks are required by law to comply with weight restrictions, maintenance inspection routines and time limits on how long a driver can operate the 18 wheeler or coal truck. When these regulations are not followed, the companies that operate the vehicles can be held liable for the damages and injuries that their drivers cause.

Rist Law Offices helps victims of 18 wheeler and coal truck accidents in West Virginia recover from these accidents. Soon after an accident occurs, insurance companies and even representatives from the companies that own the truck will begin to investigate the case. The phone will ring and an insurance adjuster or company investigator will ask questions about your accident. At this point it is critical to have the assistance of an experienced attorney to help you resolve your case and obtain fair compensation for your injuries.

Rist Law Offices carefully reviews and investigates every single case from the start. In 18 wheeler and coal truck accidents, we will not only investigate the accident itself, but we will investigate what occurred before the accident, including the weighing of the truck, inspections, maintenance and driver training. Focusing on these issues helps bring to light why the 18 wheeler or coal truck was unsafe and it helps to settle cases quickly.



We accept all of our truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will not owe us a fee unless we obtain compensation for you. If you have been injured in an 18 wheeler or coal truck wreck, call us so that we can discuss your case. Our firm handles cases anywhere in the state of West Virginia. If you cannot come to our offices, we will come to you.