Personal Injury Cases – Recht Law Offices

When it comes to the latest statistics on Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio car accident injuries and fatalities, there’s good news and bad news. The National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration recently released a revised edition of their latest “Traffic Safety Facts” publication, which tallies motor vehicle crashes and auto accident deaths throughout the nation.

Ohio motor vehicle accident deaths went up 5.7%, from 1,022 in 2009, whereas in 2010 there were 1,080 fatalities. Pennsylvania road fatalities rose by 5.4% in 2010, with 1,324 deaths—68 more than the previous year. In West Virginia, however, the news was better, with a 12% decrease in fatalities from car accidents, truck crashes and motorcycle wrecks overall, from 357 in 2009 to 315 the following year.

West Virginia personal injury lawyers at Recht Law Offices encourages all drivers in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio to always drive defensively, no matter what the statistics say. It only takes one distracted driver who is texting behind the wheel in Pennsylvania, a drunk driver in West Virginia or a sleepy truck driver barreling through Ohio to change your life forever.

Nationally, the report details accident statistics pertaining to everything from age to time of day. For instance, fatalities among motorcyclists 50 and older increased by 119, whereas motorcyclist fatalities for drivers under 50 declined by 84 deaths. Nighttime auto accident fatalities went down; of the 998 fewer fatalities in 2010, there were 857 fewer fatalities in nighttime crashes.

With our region’s mix of dense urban traffic zones and remote rural roads, drivers in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia must be ready for anything: a passenger car head-on collision in town, a commercial truck jack-knife on a highway or an SUV rollover on a curving country road.

If you or someone you love suffered a car, truck or motorcycle accident injury, or a loved one died in an auto accident, contact the experienced, aggressive Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia personal injury attorneys at Recht Law Office. Call us today at 1-800-HURTLINE or complete the online contact form. We understand your pain and can put experience and resources to work for you.

Recht Law Offices

3405 Main Street

Weirton, WV 26062

A study by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources shows that the number of DUI arrests has steadily declined between 2008 and 2010.

According to a report in The Register-Herald in Beckley, statewide, 6,886 DUI arrests were made in 2008; 6,622 in 2009; and 6,154 in 2010.

The decline in drunk driving arrests certainly is a positive and welcomed trend. As car accident lawyers in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio, we have seen how the negligence of drunk drivers can cause heartache on the highways. In a flash, an intoxicated driver can destroy a life and devastate the family members of the accident victim.

It’s important to know your rights if you or a loved one was injured in a driving under the influence accident. Contact Recht Law Offices for a free consultation. Our experienced personal injury attorneys fight hard to get the compensation clients need for their losses.

While it’s heartening to hear about any decline in DUI arrests, it’s alarming to find out that two counties experienced significant increase in arrests for drunk driving between 2008 and 2010: Raleigh and Greenbrier counties. The Register-Herald reports that Raleigh County had 240 DUI arrests in 2008, 255 in 2009 and 276 in 2010. The numbers for Greenbrier County: 156 arrests in 2008, 190 in 2009, and 229 in 2010.

The disturbing upswing in arrests may not necessarily mean more drunk drivers are on the road. There may be stricter enforcement of DUI laws in those counties. One thing’s for sure: Intoxicated people are continuing to drive when they should hand the keys to a sober driver or call a cab. Despite public awareness of the dangers of drunk driving, this type of negligent behavior continues to put other motorists and pedestrians at risk of serious injury or death.

While the study focused on West Virginia, driving under the influence accidents can happen anywhere. A drunk driver causes a death on the road twice every hour in the United States. Victims who have been seriously injured may be entitled to recover for lost income, medical bills, emotional trauma, the costs associated with the repair of their damaged vehicles, and more. In some cases, a wrongful death lawsuit may be necessary.

Representing clients in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia, Recht Law Offices can put experience and resources to work for the injured and their families. Call 1-800-HURTLINE today for a free case review or visit www.rechtlaw.com. Let an experienced personal injury lawyer protect your rights.

Recht Law Offices

3405 Main Street

Weirton, WV 26062-4505