Kentucky car accident lawyers

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Kentucky Car Accident Lawyers

Our Lexington & Louisville car accident attorneys advocate for you and your family after a negligent driver causes a collision

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Car accidents in Kentucky can have severe and life-altering consequences for those involved. From minor fender-benders to serious collisions, the aftermath can leave victims facing extensive medical bills, lost wages, and significant pain and suffering. At Crandall & Pera Law, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a car accident can take on you and your family. Our dedicated team of Kentucky car accident lawyers is committed to helping you navigate this challenging time, ensuring you receive the compensation and justice you deserve.

With years of experience handling car accident cases throughout Kentucky, our skilled attorneys are well-versed in the complexities of state traffic laws and insurance regulations. We provide personalized legal representation, thoroughly investigating each case to determine liability and gather crucial evidence. Whether negotiating with insurance companies or representing you in court, we fight tirelessly to protect your rights and secure maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. Trust Crandall & Pera Law to be your advocate and guide, offering compassionate support and aggressive legal action every step of the way.

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How often do car accidents happen in Kentucky?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports 42,514 deaths from motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2022. “This corresponds to 12.8 deaths per 100,000 people and 1.33 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.”

In Kentucky, 744 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2022. This corresponds to 1.55 deaths for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled. To break this down by road users, 35% were car occupants, 29% were pickup and SUV occupants, 2% were large truck occupants, 14% were motorcyclists, 12% were pedestrians, and 2% were bicyclists.

What types of car accident claims do your Kentucky attorneys handle?

At Crandall & Pera Law, we handle a wide variety of motor vehicle accidents, including:

No matter how your car accident happened, we are here to help.

What types of injuries result from Kentucky car accidents?

Car accidents in Kentucky can result in a wide range of injuries, varying from minor to severe. Here are some common types of injuries that victims may sustain:

  • Head and brain injuries: Severe brain injuries that can result in long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments. Victims may also suffer skull fractures and serious injuries that require immediate medical attention and can lead to complications.
  • Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the discs between the vertebrae can cause pain and potential nerve damage. Severe spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting mobility and quality of life.
  • Back injuries: These injuries can cause significant pain and limit physical activity. Serious injuries that may require surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
  • Broken bones and fractures: Common in car accidents, these injuries often require casts, surgery, and physical therapy.
  • Internal injuries: Injuries to internal organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys can be life-threatening and require immediate surgery. Internal bleeding can occur from blunt force trauma and may not be immediately apparent, necessitating prompt medical evaluation.
  • Cuts and lacerations: Caused by shattered glass or sharp objects, these injuries may require stitches or surgery and can leave permanent scars.
  • Burns: Resulting from vehicle fires or explosions, burns can cause severe pain, scarring, and require specialized medical care.
  • Psychological injuries: The trauma from an accident can lead to PTSD, causing anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. The emotional impact of an accident can affect a victim’s quality of life and relationships.

These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care, significantly impacting victims' lives. If you have been injured in a car accident in Kentucky, seeking prompt medical attention and consulting with an experienced Kentucky personal injury attorney can help you pursue the compensation needed to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

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What is the statute of limitations for car accident claims in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, the statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim depends on the type of claim. For personal injuries from car accidents, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the accident. If the car accident results in a fatality, the statute of limitations for wrongful death is one year from the date of the deceased person’s death.

Given these time limits, it is essential to take prompt action after a car accident. Consulting with the experienced Kentucky car accident attorneys at Crandall & Pera Law can help ensure you meet all deadlines and take the necessary steps to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

What are some major causes of auto crashes?

Car collisions can be the result of many different factors, including:

  • Driver errors may include speeding, following too closely (“tailgating”), failure to signal during lane changes, disregarding traffic signs or signals, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Failure to properly maintain a vehicle or to keep it in good working order, especially tires, brakes, and lights, can lead to crashes.
  • Distractions include anything that diverts a driver’s attention from the road and onto other things inside or outside the car, especially using a cell phone to talk or text.
  • Poor roadways, including insufficient length of entry and exit lanes, ambiguous or absent traffic signs, and absence of lane designations and reflectors, increase the risk of collisions.
  • Manufacturing defects, including defective designs or components such as susceptibility to oversteer or rollover, can, in a limited number of cases, cause an accident or injury.

How do Kentucky’s auto insurance laws affect injured drivers?

Unlike other states with “no-fault” auto accident laws, Kentucky is a “choice no-fault” state. This is an important distinction. In a typical no-fault car insurance system, drivers involved in auto accidents turn to their own auto insurance carriers, no matter who was at fault, unless their losses reach a stated amount. Kentucky drivers, however, can choose to opt out of the state’s no-fault system at the outset and purchase traditional tort-based coverage. Drivers who have chosen to remain in the no-fault can still file a liability claim if their damages meet the threshold.

What if negligence is involved?

Kentucky is also a pure comparative negligence state. If a driver injured in an auto accident brings a suit, any compensation that person may recover depends on the degree of fault the court assigns to each driver. The insurance carrier of the driver who is at fault must pay, but its payments are reduced in the same proportion as the other driver’s responsibility. For example, suppose the jury finds that Driver A was 60 percent responsible and Driver B was 40 percent responsible. Driver A’s insurance company has to pay Driver B, but it can reduce its payments by 40 percent. Thus, if B sustained $1,000 worth of damages, they would receive only $600.

Who is liable for my Kentucky car accident?

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Determining liability for a car accident in Kentucky involves identifying the party or parties whose negligence or wrongful actions contributed to the accident. Here are the primary entities that might be liable:

  • The other driver: If the other driver was speeding, distracted, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or otherwise driving recklessly, they could be liable. Violations such as running a red light, failing to yield, or making illegal turns can establish the other driver’s fault.
  • Your own contribution: Kentucky follows a pure comparative fault rule. This means that even if you are partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
  • Vehicle manufacturers: If a defect in either vehicle (such as brake failure, tire blowout, or steering issues) contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of the defective part or the vehicle could be liable.
  • Government entities: If the accident was caused by poorly maintained roads, inadequate signage, or malfunctioning traffic signals, the government entity responsible for road maintenance might be liable.
  • Employers: If the at-fault driver was operating a vehicle as part of their job, their employer might be liable under the legal doctrine of vicarious liability.
  • Other parties: Sometimes, another driver’s actions can indirectly cause an accident, such as by forcing you to swerve to avoid a collision, leading to a crash with another vehicle. If a pedestrian or cyclist acted recklessly or unlawfully and caused the accident, they might be liable.

Given the complexity of determining liability in car accidents, consulting with a knowledgeable Kentucky car accident attorney is vital. At Crandall & Pera Law, we can help you navigate the legal process, work to hold all responsible parties accountable, and fight to secure the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Injured in a car accident? Let our Kentucky auto accident lawyers be your advocates

If you are injured because of another’s negligent driving, you should contact an experienced Kentucky auto accident lawyer as soon as possible. The attorneys at Crandall & Pera Law fight aggressively to protect your interests and have established a reputation for obtaining fair judgments and settlements for their clients. Your case is important to us, and we want to help. Please call us today or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a Kentucky auto accident attorney.  Our Kentucky car accident lawyers see clients in Lexington, Louisville, and across the state.