Introduction
AAA research tracked unsecured loads on American roads over a three-year span and found that they claimed more than 500 lives and injured approximately 39,000 people. Angotti & Straface Attorneys at Law L.C. in Morgantown, West Virginia cites that data because commercial vehicle accidents, including those caused by improperly secured cargo, are a significant part of the firm’s practice. The firm has operated since 1952, a timeline that spans more than seven decades of representing injured West Virginians and the families of those killed in accidents.
Located at 1 Suburban Court in Morgantown, Angotti & Straface serves clients across a wide geographic area spanning Monongalia County and communities throughout West Virginia. The firm handles personal injury and DUI defense, offers free initial consultations, operates 24 hours a day seven days a week, and takes personal injury cases on contingency.
Practice Areas
Personal Injury: The firm’s personal injury practice covers a range of accident types and harm categories.
Car accidents remain the most common source of serious injury claims, and the firm represents victims in cases involving all levels of severity, from significant property damage claims to catastrophic injury and wrongful death.
Commercial truck, tractor-trailer, oil and gas hauler, and cement mixer accidents occupy a distinct category. These vehicles are substantially heavier than passenger cars, and accidents involving them tend to produce more severe injuries. They also involve a more complex web of potential defendants, including the driver, the trucking company, the freight broker, and in some cases the cargo owner. The firm has the experience to work through these layers to identify all responsible parties.
ATV and UTV accidents are a recognized practice area given West Virginia’s terrain and recreational culture. These vehicles are involved in a substantial number of serious injury events each year.
Bicycle accidents can result in significant injuries even at relatively low speeds. The firm represents cyclists injured by vehicle operators who failed to yield, respect bike lanes, or observe safe passing distances.
Wrongful death cases represent the firm’s work on behalf of families who have lost a member due to another party’s negligence. West Virginia law provides specific recovery options for surviving family members, and the firm pursues these claims with awareness of both the legal requirements and the human circumstances.
Nursing home abuse and neglect is a practice area the firm addresses with particular seriousness. West Virginia promotes elder abuse awareness and provides a statewide hotline at 800-352-6513. The firm handles cases involving physical abuse, neglect, medication errors, and failure to provide adequate care in residential facilities.
Premises liability covers injuries on others’ property, including commercial establishments, private residences, and government-owned locations. The firm applies West Virginia’s comparative negligence standard to these cases, under which an injured person can recover as long as their own share of fault is less than 50 percent.
Products liability and workplace injuries round out the firm’s personal injury practice, covering situations where defective products or unsafe working conditions cause harm.
DUI Defense: West Virginia’s DUI penalties are substantial. A conviction can result in jail time, fines of up to $4,000, license suspension, and requirements to install an ignition interlock device. The consequences affect employment, professional licensing, and daily life. The firm handles DUI defense cases, examining the circumstances of the traffic stop, the administration of field sobriety tests, and the accuracy and handling of breath or blood test results.
West Virginia applies a comparative negligence standard that allows an injured person to recover if their fault is less than 50 percent. In DUI cases, this framework can affect both the defense strategy and any civil claims arising from a DUI-related accident.
Attorney Profiles
John R. Angotti is one of the firm’s founding attorneys and has practiced through the full arc of the firm’s history since 1952. His experience spans the range of personal injury matters the firm handles, built over decades of practice in West Virginia courts.
David J. Straface is the other named principal at the firm. Together with John Angotti, he represents the continuity of a practice that has served West Virginia clients for more than 70 years.
The firm’s tenure since 1952 means its attorneys have seen the full range of cases that arise in this region, including the commercial trucking accidents that affect communities along West Virginia’s highway corridors.
Location and Service Area
Angotti & Straface is located at 1 Suburban Court, Morgantown, WV 26505. The phone number is 304-292-4381.
The firm’s service area spans Monongalia, Marion, Taylor, Preston, Harrison, Barbour, and Randolph counties. Beyond those counties, the firm also serves clients in Huntington, Charleston, Wheeling, and Parkersburg, and handles matters throughout West Virginia. This broad reach means clients across the state can access the firm’s seven-plus decades of experience.
Client Focus
Angotti & Straface approaches personal injury representation on a contingency fee basis, so clients who have been injured do not pay attorney fees unless the case results in a recovery. Free initial consultations are available to help potential clients understand whether their situation gives rise to a viable claim.
The firm’s 24/7 availability reflects the reality that accidents happen at all hours and that the steps taken immediately after an injury event can significantly affect a case. Clients who need to speak with an attorney in the hours after an accident can reach the firm around the clock.
The firm’s promotion of West Virginia’s elder abuse hotline (800-352-6513) signals its commitment to nursing home abuse and neglect cases as a meaningful part of its practice, not a peripheral service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of commercial vehicles does the firm handle cases involving?
The firm handles accidents involving commercial trucks, tractor-trailers, oil and gas haulers, and cement mixers. These cases often involve multiple potential defendants and require analysis of federal trucking regulations, maintenance records, driver logs, and cargo documentation.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for my accident in West Virginia?
West Virginia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can recover compensation as long as your share of the fault is less than 50 percent. The total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. The firm can evaluate the specific facts of your situation to assess how this standard applies.
Does the firm handle nursing home abuse cases, and how do I report elder abuse in West Virginia?
Yes, the firm handles nursing home abuse and neglect cases. If you suspect elder abuse in a residential facility, West Virginia’s elder abuse hotline is 800-352-6513. The firm can also advise on the legal options available to victims and their families.
How long has the firm been in practice?
Angotti & Straface has operated since 1952, giving the firm more than seven decades of continuous practice in West Virginia. This long history reflects both the firm’s stability and the depth of experience its attorneys bring to each case.
Is the initial consultation free?
Yes. The firm offers free initial consultations for personal injury and DUI matters. Call 304-292-4381 to schedule a consultation.
Closing
Seven decades of practice in West Virginia, combined with attorneys who know the state’s courts, its comparative negligence rules, and the specific dynamics of commercial truck and premises liability cases, give Angotti & Straface a foundation that most firms cannot match. The firm’s practice since 1952 is not just a historical note; it reflects the accumulation of knowledge that comes from handling West Virginia cases across a full generation of legal practice.
Contact the firm at 304-292-4381 or visit angottistrafacelaw.com.