West Virginia Personal Injury Law Blog

Gas-related explosions remain a major concern for many mining companies in West Virginia and elsewhere. While technological advancements and safety regulations may help to reduce the risk of such explosions, similar incidents continue to be one of the leading causes of coal mine accidents. A recent incident involving a methane gas explosion in a mine elevator shaft has reportedly led to the death of a miner in a neighboring state.

The incident is said to have taken place on a recent Wednesday evening. According to reports, the man was working to construct a form to fill an elevator shaft at the mine with concrete and seal it off when for unknown reasons, a methane gas explosion occurred. The explosion reportedly caused the man to fall into the shaft and forced emergency personnel to initiate recovery efforts.

Fallen power lines are a major concern in many collisions and should a crash cause active lines to fall to the ground, the incident could pose a threat to the safety of everyone nearby. Motor vehicle accidents involving similar hazards can have catastrophic results. A recent incident in which an oversized vehicle struck a telecommunications line and caused a utility pole to break has left one person in West Virginia with serious injuries.

According to reports, the incident took place on an interstate on a recent Tuesday evening. Authorities say that a West Virginia State Trooper was working to clear debris from the road when an oversized tractor-trailer suddenly struck a telecommunications line. The initial impact reportedly forced a nearby utility pole to snap, subsequently causing telephone lines to fall and strike the state trooper.

Attempting to pass another vehicle on a curvy two-lane road can be a dangerous decision. With limited visibility, there is a chance that a similar maneuver could create a potentially hazardous scenario and motor vehicle accidents involving such negligence run a high risk of ending in disaster. A recent multiple-vehicle collision that took place under similar circumstances in West Virginia has left one person in the hospital with severe injuries.

Law enforcement agents responded to reports of the crash on a recent Tuesday morning. According to reports, the accident took place when the driver of a car that was towing a trailer attempted to pass another vehicle on a two-lane road. The car proceeded to pull into the path of an oncoming tractor-trailer and although the driver of the semi attempted to swerve out of the way, the truck clipped the car's trailer before colliding with two other vehicles.

With summer weather setting in, many individuals in West Virginia and elsewhere may choose to park their vehicles and ride bicycles to and from their destinations. While riding a bike could help a person avoid high fuel costs while acting as a healthy means of travel, there are some risks involved, as motor vehicle accidents involving cyclists can have devastating results. However, by adhering to safe cycling tips and procedures, one may be able to reduce the chances an accident will take place.

The first step to staying safe as a cyclist pertains to taking measures to prepare to ride a bicycle near traffic. Prior to hitting the open road, a person may find it helpful to inspect his or her bike to ensure all parts are in proper working order. One may also find it advisable to equip the necessary safety gear such as a helmet before heading out, as this could be all that stands between a person and the pavement in the event a crash occurs.