If a commercial truck slams into your vehicle on Interstate 65 or the Bluegrass Parkway, your life changes in seconds. The physical injuries from these crashes often lead to staggering medical bills, lost wages and permanent disabilities.
Insurance companies know you’re vulnerable and typically offer quick settlements that fall far short of what you deserve. These initial offers rarely account for your long-term needs, ongoing medical treatment or the full extent of your suffering.
Before signing anything after a truck accident near Louisville or Elizabethtown, understand that accepting an early offer could cost you thousands in compensation you rightfully deserve.
Truck crashes have many complicating factors
A collision with an 80,000-pound commercial truck bears little resemblance to an ordinary car accident. When a vehicle weighing 25 times more than your car strikes you, the consequences are often catastrophic.
These accidents involve unique challenges, including:
- Multiple potentially liable parties (driver, trucking company, maintenance crews)
- Complex federal regulations governing driver hours and training
- Electronic logging devices and black box data that must be preserved quickly
- Higher insurance policy limits but more aggressive defense tactics
- Severe injuries requiring lifetime care and accommodation
Attorneys who handle truck accident cases understand how to obtain critical evidence before it disappears. They know which regulations apply to your situation and how to prove when trucking companies cut corners on safety to increase profits. They also understand how to calculate medical costs for ongoing care.
Can I receive compensation even if I’m partially responsible?
Yes, you can still recover compensation even if you share some blame for the accident. Kentucky follows “pure comparative negligence,” which means your level of responsibility reduces damages. For example, if your damages total $100,000 but you’re found 20% responsible, you could still recover $80,000.
However, trucking companies and their insurers will try to shift as much blame to you as possible. They may claim you were speeding, distracted or violated traffic laws to minimize their financial responsibility.
A skilled truck accident attorney can thoroughly investigate the crash, gather compelling evidence and counter these tactics. With proper legal representation, you can maximize your compensation and secure the financial support you need to recover, even if you bear partial responsibility for what happened.