West Virginia is known as the Mountain State – and for good reason. It is the only state that is completely within the Appalachian Mountain region. Its average elevation is also higher than any other state east of the Mississippi River.
While all of these mountains make for breathtaking scenery (and pretty incredible opportunities to enjoy sports like whitewater rafting), it also means that our steep, winding roads and highways can be treacherous. This is particularly true for commercial trucks that drive through our state to deliver goods to other states in the Midwest and Eastern seaboard. Some of the most dangerous highways in West Virginia include I-81, US 33, I-79, and I-64 – all popular trucking routes.
At Johnstone & Gabhart, we fight for the rights of truck accident victims throughout West Virginia. Our experienced truck accident lawyers help our clients get maximum compensation for their injuries. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a member of our legal team, contact our law offices today.
Most Dangerous Trucking Routes in West Virginia
While West Virginia is a relatively small state, it ranks as one of the states with the highest fatality rates based on vehicle miles traveled. In 2021, the fatality rate was 0.29 – putting it at the top of the list for fatal truck accidents alongside Texas, Oklahoma, Montana, and Arkansas.
Some of the most dangerous trucking routes in America are in West Virginia. These roads are particularly risky because of West Virginia’s unique topography and weather – along with driver negligence. When a truck driver is attempting to navigate these roads, they have to pay close attention to the road. Unfortunately, that does not always happen.
The most dangerous truck routes in West Virginia include:
- I-81, particularly in Martinsburg. Sharp turns and blind curves on this interstate lead to a high number of tractor-trailer rollovers. Interstate 81 only traverses through West Virginia for 26 miles, in the far eastern part of the State. However, it is along this corridor where the highest concentration of truck accidents and fatalities occur. According to research done by our attorneys at Johnstone and Gabhart the two stretches of highway with the most fatalities per mile, are both along Interstate 81.
- US-33 has dangerous turns and drop-offs, including the well-known “Dead Woman’s Curve.” Given these conditions, US-33 is known for fatalities linked to truck accidents.
- I-79 is an interstate that runs through West Virginia from Charleston into Pennsylvania, traveling past Morgantown, Fairmont, and Clarksburg. Because it is so heavily traveled, it is often congested – which leads to accidents. Part of I-79 in Monongalia County ranks as one of the 12 deadliest roads in West Virginia.
- US-50 is particularly dangerous in the winter when ice combines with steep hills and sharp curves to make for difficult driving.
- I-64 has many truck accidents given heavy traffic and mountainous terrain.
The dangerous nature of these highways is illustrated by the sheer number of truck accidents that occur on them each year. For example, shortly before Christmas, an Amazon tractor-trailer crashed on the West Virginia Turnpike (I-77), jackknifing when navigating the slick roadway. While no one was seriously hurt in the crash, the turnpike was closed for hours while crews worked to clear the wreckage.
Most Dangerous Sections of West Virginia Highway
Highway 81 in Berkeley County north of Hammonds Mill Rd in Martinsburg saw 8 fatal truck accidents and is the most dangerous section for truck-related accidents in WV. The second most dangerous section was also Highway 81 north of State Road 51 in Inwood.
The high concentration of accidents on this section of roadway is partially a reflection of the high volume of traffic, both from trucks and other vehicles. Berkeley County, home to the entire 26-mile stretch of Interstate 81 in West Virginia, is West Virginia’s second most populous county, behind only Kanawha, where West Virginia’s largest city, Charleston, is located. Berkeley County is generally more densely populated than other parts of West Virginia, as it is relatively close to the East Coast. There is even regular commuter rail service from Martinsburg into Washington D.C.
Additionally, Interstate 81 is a major truck corridor. Along with Interstate 59 and a stretch of Interstate 75 in Tennessee, it connects the port of New Orleans with the Northeast. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, it is one of the only sections of interstate highway in West Virginia to rank amongst the most heavily truck trafficked.
Other Dangerous Sections of West Virginia Highway
The section of road with the third highest concentration of truck fatalities is along the other major truck corridor in West Virginia, Interstate 70, in the far northern part of the State. The stretch of Interstate 70 in West Virginia is even shorter than Interstate 81 and is somewhat more sparsely populated.
Dangerous Highways in Sparsely Populated Areas
Rounding out the Top 5 are two highway stretches in other parts of the state. One of them is right in the heart of West Virginia’s largest city, Charleston, where traffic volumes are relatively high. The other, however, is in a sparsely populated part of Eastern West Virginia, on a curvy stretch of Highway 33 in mountainous terrain.
County-level data, comparing the total number of accidents involving medium-heavy trucks with population indicates that there may be some other sections of the state, with relatively low traffic volumes, that are more dangerous for truckers. Of the five counties with the highest rate of truck accidents per capita, three do not have any interstate highways. One of these counties is Pendleton County, with the dangerous curvy stretch of Highway 33. The others are in the Western part of the state.
Kanawha County Truck Accidents
There are several particularly dangerous sections of highway in Kanawha County, the most dangerous being a 1.36-mile section of I-64 southeast of Chelyan which saw 4 fatal accidents. This section includes many tolls where cars and trucks swerve and drive erratically to get to different toll booths.
Next is the I-119 in South Charleston at the Davis Creek exit. Four fatalities in this small 1.5 stretch between the east and west exits. Next is SR-60 or Dupont Ave east of Cedar Grove. This single-lane road running along the Kanawha River can be tricky for trucks to maneuver especially with impatient drivers frequently trying to pass in the oncoming traffic lane. Another short but dangerous section of the road is I-77 in Charleston. Going south from the 77-79 split into the city saw two fatal accidents in just 1.5 miles of road. Traffic can get quite dangerous coming into West Virginia’s most populated city.
Cabell County Truck Accidents
Despite Cabell County being one of the most populated counties in West Virginia, there was only one section of highway that was particularly dangerous. A 1.65 stretch of I-64 between SR-52 and SR-527 was the location of 8 different fatal accidents. This stretch of highway includes two of the major exits into downtown Huntington.
Berkeley County Truck Accidents
What would likely be the most dangerous significant stretch of highway, I-81 south of Harrisonburg and James Madison University is the home of the five most dangerous stretches of highway in Berkeley County. This stretch of highway is responsible for 19 fatal truck accidents from 2007 – 2016. A relatively flat and straight section of highway, it’s unclear why it’s resulted in so many fatal accidents.
Are the Highways Getting Safer?
Many believe that highways overall are becoming safer for all users due to a combination of technology and measures to prevent impaired driving. Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation largely supports this claim, however, with some ambiguity as to a more recent trend, at least nationally.
Over the past decade, truckers in West Virginia appear to be getting in fewer accidents and suffering fewer fatalities.
Although our highways appear to be getting safer, the road can still be a dangerous place. The stretches of roads that produce the highest frequency of accidents and fatalities tend to be the ones with the highest traffic volumes, in cities and towns along major truck corridors.
However, there are other areas where the roads may be even more dangerous despite low traffic volumes. In West Virginia, data points to these sections of road being in the mountainous parts of the East and South, or the winding roads near the Eastern Border on the Ohio River. Curvy roads in sparsely populated areas may produce fewer overall incidents, but drivers along those roads may be more likely to have an accident than drivers on Interstates, even in cities.
Why Are West Virginia Highways So Dangerous?
There is no single answer as to why West Virginia consistently ranks so high on lists of the most dangerous states in the country when it comes to truck accidents. Instead, it is a combination of factors that lead to these crashes.
First, West Virginia is centrally located on the East Coast. The shortest route between many southern, midwestern, and eastern states often goes through West Virginia. This means that there is an incredibly high volume of trucks on West Virginia highways – and more trucks often means more accidents.
Second, when these trucks travel through West Virginia, they are often coming off of highways that aren’t anywhere near as treacherous – such as the far more flat roads of Ohio. Truck drivers often don’t adjust their speed to account for the more hilly terrain, which can lead to accidents. Speeding is one of the leading causes of truck crashes along many highways in West Virginia, including along US-19.
Third, West Virginia’s highways were built through incredibly mountainous terrain by necessity. They are full of tight curves, drop-offs, steep hills, and sharp downgrades. Navigating these roads can be challenging for any driver – and is made that much harder when the vehicle you are driving is oversized and loaded with thousands of pounds of cargo.
Fourth, mountain roads in West Virginia often have hazardous weather conditions like snow, ice, and fog. Driving on these highways can already be tricky. When you add elevation, colder temperatures, and valleys that trap fog to the mix, it can be even more difficult.
Fifth, truck drivers are generally under a lot of pressure to deliver their loads quickly – which often means driving long after they should have taken a break under federal hours of service regulations. This can be risky on any road, but when you combine fatigued drivers with West Virginia’s winding, steep roads, it can be a recipe for disaster.
Sixth, these highways don’t just serve as interstate corridors – they also connect West Virginia’s cities and towns. In many cases, the shortest route between two towns involves hopping onto a highway like US-19. Many of these highways have numerous intersections, exits, and turn-offs – which can lead to accidents when truck drivers aren’t paying close enough attention to the road.
What Are My Options If I Am Hurt in a West Virginia Truck Accident?
Victims of truck accidents in West Virginia may be able to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party or parties. This may include the truck driver, the trucking company, the company responsible for maintaining the trucks, and even the manufacturer of a defective truck part. Our experienced West Virginia truck accident lawyers can help you determine who might be liable for your losses – and help you file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
Truck companies and their insurance companies rarely offer accident victims a fair settlement if they don’t have legal counsel. Instead, their goal is to resolve the claim for as little money as possible – which might not even be enough to pay for your losses. Our attorneys will fight for your right to full compensation, working to negotiate a settlement – or taking your case to trial to get you the money that you deserve.
Compensation in a truck accident case should include money for all of your losses. This includes property damage, medical bills, future medical treatment, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. We have significant experience handling West Virginia commercial truck accident cases and will work hard to get you the compensation that you are entitled to under the law.
Help for West Virginia Truck Accident Victims
Truck crashes often cause serious injuries. They can also be incredibly traumatic for victims. Our law firm will work to get you the money that you need to move forward physically, financially, and emotionally after a truck accident.
At Johnstone & Gabhart, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of West Virginians who were hurt in all types of accidents, including those involving big rigs and semi-trucks. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you’ll never pay a fee unless we recover money for you. Give us a call at 304-343-7100 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a West Virginia truck accident lawyer.
