Hire Our Experienced Car Wreck Lawyers To Protect Your Rights
It is crucially important that you obtain knowledgeable legal advice if you have been involved in a Kentucky car wreck that was somebody else’s fault. The skilled automobile accidents attorneys at Aldridge & Birdwhistell Law Firm, PSC fight to ensure that victims receive the compensation to which they are entitled in Hardin County and throughout central Kentucky.
Our attorneys provide effective negotiation and courtroom representation to help you obtain the full and fair value of your damages and losses. In personal injury claims, we fight for adequate resources to cover medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We understand your difficulties and are devoted to helping you through recovery.
Our attorneys help victims obtain compensation for medical bills and other losses after a car wreck. Call 270-872-0912 in Elizabethtown for a free consultation.
What Will Your Damages Total?
One of the biggest challenges for an auto accident lawyer is assessing the full value of damages incurred by a client. This includes not just damage to the vehicle itself, but also the pain, suffering and other expenses experienced by the client.
We will make sure you obtain a financial award that compensates you for the full amount of these losses, including:
- Damage to the vehicle
- Medical bills, doctor fees, prescription medicine expenses and rehabilitation costs
- Pain, suffering and emotional distress
- Lost wages, impaired earning power and loss of financial opportunities
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disability, temporary impairment and permanent impairment
- Wrongful death of a family member or loved one
- Loss of consortium from injury to a spouse
Pursuing Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Claims
It is often possible to resolve a car wreck case by filing claims with the insurance provider of the responsible driver. But sometimes the responsible driver does not carry insurance, or they may not carry a sufficient policy to cover the full extent of damages for which he is legally liable.
We can help you determine how to proceed against a driver who is responsible for causing an accident, even if the driver is not properly insured. We are devoted to making sure you receive the compensation to which you are entitled.
Answers To Common Questions About Car Accidents
Clients who come to us at Aldridge & Birdwhistell Law Firm, PSC have many questions about auto wrecks and what we may be able to do to help. Here are answers to a few of the most common questions we receive.
If you have more specific questions, please call 270-872-0912 in Elizabethtown to arrange a free confidential consultation.
Can you help me if the other driver did not carry insurance?
Yes. Our lawyers have helped drivers recover the cost of accidents caused by drivers who do not have sufficient insurance coverage to pay for the costs.
In some cases, your own insurance provider may be obligated for the reimbursements, but they may be reluctant to give you everything to which you are entitled. We help with policy review and negotiation of a fair settlement to make sure you receive all of the available benefits.
If your auto insurance policy does not cover accidents caused by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, then we use our knowledge of Kentucky law to pursue claims directly against the other driver.
What are my options after losing a loved one in a fatal crash?
The Kentucky wrongful death statute allows you to seek financial compensation for the loss of a loved one. When a person is killed through another person’s fault, Kentucky tort law allows a family member to bring a lawsuit to obtain financial compensation for their loss.
It is very important to meet with a skilled attorney as soon as possible. These wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of a death. This seems like a long time, but it can pass quickly as you grieve the loss.
What is included when talking about damages?
If the negligent behavior of someone else caused a car accident, then you are entitled to financial compensation to cover all the losses and expenses you suffer as a result. This includes not just damage to the vehicle itself, but also the pain, suffering and other expenses you experienced.
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit?
All personal injury claims are subject to a statute of limitations, or deadline, within which lawsuits must be filed. If you fail to meet this deadline, you will be prevented from recovering your losses, no matter how clear your claim.
In Kentucky, a personal injury claim for an auto accident must generally be filed within one year from the date of the accident. There are a few exceptions to this two-year statute of limitations. For example, the statute of limitations for a car accident that involved a minor may be paused until the minor is legally an adult. Furthermore, if the negligent party fled the scene of the accident, the statute of limitations may not begin until the party is found.
In all cases, however, it is wisest to speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident. That allows your attorney to take early action to preserve important evidence, build a solid case and generally protect your interests.
What should I do immediately after an accident?
If you have been in an auto accident, you should immediately call 911. Request the police and emergency medical assistance. As you wait for first responders to arrive at the scene of the accident, you may need to relocate to a safe place. If possible, take pictures of the accident scene and check everybody involved for serious injuries. Seek medical attention even if you do not think you are seriously hurt to check for hidden injuries.
As soon as practical, speak to an experienced personal injury attorney – before you speak to the other party’s insurers.
Can I still pursue a claim if I was partially at fault in the accident?
Yes. Kentucky’s pure comparative negligence laws are designed to allocate the responsibility for an accident according to each party’s degree of fault.
What is comparative negligence, and how might it affect my case?
Kentucky is a pure comparative negligence state, which means that the total amount of compensation you can recover may be reduced by your percentage of the fault for the wreck, up to 99%. In other words, if you are 20% at fault for an accident that caused $100,000 worth of damages, your total compensation may be reduced to 80% or $80,000.
Because insurers want to reduce their losses, they often seek to unfairly shift blame for an accident to the victims. That is why it is so important to speak to an experienced attorney as soon as possible after a wreck.
Will my personal injury case go to trial?
While there are no guarantees, the vast majority of personal injury claims settle outside of court. Trials can be expensive and time-consuming, so insurance companies are generally motivated to resolve claims via negotiation whenever possible.
That being said, to settle a personal injury case out of court, the negligent party must be willing to reach a fair settlement for your medical bills, financial losses and pain and suffering. Some of the most common reasons why personal injury cases go to trial include:
- Low settlement offer: An offer to cover the victim’s injuries is too low. Going to trial may help the victim recover full and fair compensation.
- Liability dispute: One party is not accepting responsibility for an accident. A trial may be necessary to determine who is at fault for a personal injury.
- Complex losses: The victim of a personal injury may have suffered economic or noneconomic losses that cannot be easily quantified, and the true dollar amount of the losses is in dispute.
Many people want to settle their personal injury cases outside of court for faster results, but it is always wisest to approach a claim from the start as if it may go to trial.
What are the risks of settling my personal injury case out of court?
One of the biggest risks of settling a personal injury case outside of court is that victims may accept low settlements that do not cover the full amount of their losses – especially if they do not have an attorney helping them. Most people are not equipped with the information they need to understand the full value of their claims.
What is mediation, and will it be necessary for my case?
Mediation allows two parties to discuss the matters of a personal injury claim out of court with the help of a neutral third party, called the mediator. The mediator helps each party negotiate a settlement for a victim’s injuries and financial losses after a personal injury. Sometimes the court will order mediation before permitting a trial, in hopes that the parties will find common ground.
Can I claim damages for emotional distress in a personal injury lawsuit?
Yes. Emotional distress is a form of noneconomic damage that can be recovered in a personal injury lawsuit. Typically, the more severe your physical injuries, the more significant your emotional distress is presumed to be.
What Should I Do After An Accident?
Call 270-872-0912 in Elizabethtown or send us an email to discuss your concerns after a car wreck injury. The initial consultation is free and confidential. We serve clients throughout Central Kentucky.