Each year, thousands of West Virginians are injured in accidents. Many of these injuries can be chalked up to plain bad luck – like tripping over your own untied shoelace. But if you got hurt because of something that someone else did, then you may be able to file a personal injury claim against them.
Through a personal injury lawsuit, you may be able to recover financial compensation for your full range of losses, including property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and even emotional trauma. In most cases, the at-fault party’s insurance company will settle the claim without having to ever set foot in a courtroom. The best way to get a fair settlement is to work with an experienced Kanawha County personal injury attorney.
At Johnstone & Gabhart, we are proud to represent injury victims in all types of claims, from car accidents to wrongful death to medical malpractice to truck crashes. We offer free initial consultations, and handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you won’t pay anything up front – and we won’t get paid unless you do.
Do I Need a Lawyer for My Personal Injury Claim?
After getting hurt in an accident, you may experience a range of emotions. You might be stressed out about mounting bills and lost wages, despondent over ongoing pain and the need for medical treatment, and just plain overwhelmed by everything that has happened. In this situation, when an insurance adjuster approaches you about a settlement, you might want to just get a check and move on with your life.
In rare cases – such as those that involve only property damages – it may make sense to settle your claim directly with the other party’s insurance company. In most cases, accepting a settlement from the insurance company without the help of a Kanawha County injury lawyer will result in an insufficient settlement. You may not even get enough money to pay for your medical expenses.
No matter what the insurance adjuster may say to you, the insurance company is not on your side. The goal of the insurance company isn’t to pay out on claims – it is to make money. One way that insurers do this is by denying or minimizing legitimate claims with a team of adjusters and lawyers.
The insurance business is incredibly profitable. For example, in 2020, auto insurance companies had record profits that were estimated at $100 billion. Bottom line: the less that insurers have to pay out, the more money that they make.
The best way to make sure that you get the money that you deserve is by hiring a personal injury attorney in Kanawha County who can fight for your right to full compensation. A lawyer will level the playing field, and make sure that you don’t get pennies on the dollar for your claim. Instead, they’ll investigate and analyze your claim and aggressively advocate for a top dollar settlement.
Retaining a personal injury law firm makes good financial sense. According to a study by the Insurance Research Council, people who hire attorneys received a 40% higher settlement than those who represented themselves. Because you won’t have to pay any money up front when you hire Johnstone & Gabhart, it makes good sense to schedule a consultation with a member of our team.
What You Get When You Hire Johnstone & Gabhart for Your Personal Injury Case
The attorneys of Johnstone & Gabhart have represented accident victims in Kanawha County for a combined total of more than 50 years. We take a proactive approach to each of our cases, utilizing our substantial negotiation and litigation skills to help you get maximum compensation.
Our firm consists of three talented attorneys:
- Charles M. Johnstone II (“Sonny”) has been practicing law in West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky since 1988. In his 30+ years of practice, he has helped thousands of injury victims get top dollar for their claims.
- Johnson W. Gabhart started his career as an attorney in 1990. Over the course of his career, he has represented clients in a range of personal injury matters – fighting to get them the best possible outcome.
- Luke H. Rubenstein joined the firm in 2018 after graduating from law school. A lifelong West Virginian, he is committed to helping clients get the money that they deserve for their injuries.
We also have an incredibly dedicated and skilled staff, including accountant Jackie Burford and legal assistants Lesa Fuller and Marsha Monhollen.
For each case, we work collaboratively to get our clients maximum compensation. Over the years, we have built up a reputation as one of the best personal injury law firms in Kanawha County. Our results speak for themselves – recovering millions of dollars for clients throughout the state.
Can I Afford to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Yes. Most personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means that your attorney will only be paid if they recover money for you – and you will pay absolutely nothing upfront.
A contingency fee arrangement aligns the interests of the client and their lawyer. Both want to resolve the case quickly, and for as much money as possible. It also allows you to hire a Kanawha County injury and accident lawyer, even if you can’t afford to pay an hourly rate.
How Long Will It Take to Get Paid for My Accident Claim?
The timeline for each personal injury case is different. Many cases resolve in as little as 3 to 6 months. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement or contests liability, it may take a year or longer to be paid.
During a free initial consultation, your Kanawha County personal injury attorney will give you a ballpark estimate of the value of your case. They will also explain the process, and how long it might take for the claim to be resolved. As the case proceeds, they will update you on their progress and consult with you about any and all settlement offers.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
For most West Virginia personal injury claims, there is a 2-year statute of limitations. This means that – with a few exceptions – you must file a lawsuit within 2 years of the date of the accident, or risk having your case thrown out of court. This deadline makes it incredibly important that you reach out to a Kanawha County accident attorney as soon as possible.
Your lawyer will investigate your claim, and begin the legal process immediately. If the insurance company won’t offer you a fair settlement, then they will file a lawsuit to preserve your legal rights. To learn more, reach out to schedule a free consultation.
Hurt in an Accident? We’re Here for You.
If you have suffered an injury because of something that another person did – or failed to do – our law firm is here to help. We understand how difficult this time is for you and your family. Our goal is to take some of the burden off of your shoulders by fighting for your right to full compensation.
Based in Charleston, Johnstone & Gabhart represents clients throughout West Virginia, including in Kanawha County. We work hard to help each of our clients get justice for their injuries. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation, call our law firm at 304-343-7100 or fill out our online contact form.
