Morgantown Head-On and T-Bone Collision Lawyers

By J. Brandon Shumaker and J. Tyler Slavey  ·  Slavey & Shumaker PLLC  ·  Morgantown, WV  ·  Last updated November 12, 2026

Two-lane country roads, sharp curves and busy intersections make head-on and side-impact crashes a real danger in North Central West Virginia. These crashes involve the full force of two vehicles, and the injuries are often severe.

Slavey & Shumaker PLLC represents drivers and passengers injured in head-on and T-bone collisions throughout the State of West Virginia, including Monongalia, Preston, Marion and Harrison Counties. For the broader picture, see our car accident lawyers page.

1. Head-On Collisions

On all roadways of sufficient width, a vehicle must be driven on the right half of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing under the rules for that movement, when the right half is closed for construction or repair, on certain three-lane roadways and on one-way roadways (W. Va. Code § 17C-7-1(a)). Head-on crashes usually start with a driver who leaves the proper lane because of:

• Distraction, such as texting or using a phone
• Fatigue or falling asleep
• Alcohol or drug impairment; see our drunk driving crash page
• Speeding or cutting a curve on a two-lane road
• An unsafe pass on a hill or curve
• Driving the wrong way on a divided highway or ramp

2. T-Bone and Intersection Crashes

A T-bone crash happens when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, usually in an intersection or at a driveway. Common causes include running a stop sign or red light, turning left in front of oncoming traffic, pulling out of a side street or driveway without enough room, and misjudging the speed of approaching traffic.

3. West Virginia Right-of-Way Rules

The right-of-way rules in § 17C-9-1(a) and (b) are modified at through highways and as otherwise provided in the article (§ 17C-9-1(c)). Having the right of way does not end the analysis; every driver still must act reasonably.

4. Common Injuries

5. Proving Fault

Insurers often dispute who entered the intersection first, whether a light was red or whether a driver crossed the center line. Evidence that can answer those questions includes:

• Vehicle damage and final resting positions
• Skid marks, gouges and debris locations
• Event data recorder (“black box”) information
• Traffic, business and dashboard camera video
• Witness statements and the police crash report
• Phone records, when distraction is suspected

You can recover as long as your share of fault is not greater than the combined fault of everyone else responsible, and your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault (W. Va. Code § 55-7-13c(c)). When more than one driver is responsible, each defendant’s liability is generally several only, in proportion to that defendant’s percentage of fault (§ 55-7-13c(a)).

6. Insurance Coverage

Serious head-on and side-impact injuries can quickly exceed the at-fault driver’s liability limits. Your own policy may help:

• Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Every West Virginia auto liability policy must include coverage that pays you what you are legally entitled to recover from an uninsured driver, within limits no less than the state minimums (W. Va. Code § 33-6-31(b)). A driver whose identity is unknown is treated as uninsured, subject to the conditions in the statute (§ 33-6-31(c)).
• Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Insurers must offer UIM coverage as an option, and it applies only if you selected it (§ 33-6-31(b); W. Va. Code R. § 114-63-5.1). UIM coverage applies when the at-fault driver’s liability insurance actually available to you is less than your total damages, regardless of how those liability limits compare to your UIM limits (Syl. Pt. 5, Pristavec v. Westfield Insurance Co., 184 W. Va. 331, 400 S.E.2d 575 (1990); W. Va. Code R. § 114-63-2.2). UIM coverage then pays the damages that the at-fault driver’s available liability coverage does not, up to your UIM limits (State Automobile Mutual Insurance Co. v. Youler, 183 W. Va. 556, 396 S.E.2d 737 (1990)). Amounts payable under UIM coverage may not be reduced by payments made under your policy or any other policy (§ 33-6-31(b); W. Va. Code R. § 114-63-5.2).

See our uninsured and underinsured motorist claims page.

7. What a Claim May Include

Depending on the evidence, compensation may include medical bills and future care, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, vehicle damage, and pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Value depends on the injuries, treatment, lost income, fault and available insurance. Our settlement guide explains these factors.

8. Filing Deadline

Most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years after the right to sue accrues (W. Va. Code § 55-2-12(b)). Claims involving children and government bodies have their own rules; see our statute of limitations guide. A wrongful death action generally must be filed within two years after the death (§ 55-7-6(d)).

9. Why Choose Slavey & Shumaker PLLC

Our attorneys, J. Tyler Slavey, J. Brandon Shumaker, Scott B. Harris and Kasey Libby, practice from our office at 174 Chancery Row in Morgantown. In serious crash cases, we act quickly to preserve vehicle data, video and scene evidence, and we work with qualified reconstruction experts when needed. The consultation is free, and personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no fee unless we recover. No lawyer can guarantee a result. You can read what past clients say in our more than 100 Google reviews.

10. Frequently Asked Questions About Head-On and T-Bone Collisions

This page is provided for general informational purposes about West Virginia law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case depends on its own facts, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.