Covington Truck Accident Lawyer
The last thing anybody should have to worry about when they are on the roadway is that they will be injured in an accident with a large commercial truck. Unfortunately, many accidents are caused by the careless or negligent actions of a truck company or truck driver. At Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery, our Covington truck accident attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of these incidents secure the compensation they are entitled to.
Contact us today at (502) 540 5700 for a free case evaluation.
Why choose Hendy Johnson Vaughn Emery?
Anyone who sustains a serious injury in a truck accident needs help from a trusted attorney who can handle their entire case. At Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery, we have your back.
- The entire focus of our firm is personal injury law and nothing else. This has helped us become recognized as authorities in the field due to our specialized experience.
- We give every client personalized attention and handle their cases from start to finish. Attorneys handle every case, not paralegals or junior associates.
- We make sure to respond to all calls and inquiries within 24 hours, and we can come to you if you cannot make it to our office.
- We handle all Covington truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. Clients face no upfront costs concerning their case, and they only pay legal fees after we secure the compensation they need.
Why do you need an attorney for this?
Having a truck accident attorney by your side after a serious injury is going to be an invaluable asset. Most truck accident injury victims do not have the resources or legal experience necessary to properly conduct the investigation that is needed. Your Covington truck accident attorney will be well versed in the tactics of collecting valuable evidence that needs to be preserved and inspected before it can be lost or destroyed. This can include:
- Call logs from the driver and dispatcher
- Vehicle maintenance history
- Digital driving logs
- Driving history
- Inspection history the tractor and semi-trailer
- Inspecting the load
- Downloading the truck’s electronic control module (ECM/”black box”)
- Inspecting roadway for evidence
- Obtaining the company’s driver history
- Preserving the truck driver’s cell phone
- Photo or video surveillance from the crash
- Eyewitness statements
- Truck accident statistics for Kentucky
In general, it is up to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to regulate commercial truck activity, though various state agencies also provide regulations for commercial trucks in Kentucky. According to regulators, large commercial trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when they have a full load. At this weight and size, these trucks can become incredibly dangerous in the event they collide with passenger vehicles.
Data from the Kentucky Department of Transportation shows that there are over 165,000 commercial trucks registered in this state. This number does not include the thousands of trucks that cross our roadways from other states every day. During the latest reporting year in this state, there were approximately 10,000 accidents involving large trucks. Out of these incidents, 1,411 were injury collisions, and 94 were fatal collisions.
Common truck accident injuries
Injuries from commercial truck accidents can be incredibly severe. It is not uncommon for our Covington truck accident lawyers to help clients who have sustained the following in an incident:
- Spinal cord trauma with possible paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Open head wounds
- Concussions
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Severe lacerations
- Crush injuries or amputations
- Broken and dislocated bones
Due to the nature of these accidents, many victims often sustain serious psychological and emotional injuries, such as anxiety, fear, and depression. It is not uncommon for truck accident victims to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after the crash. All of these injuries can require extensive medical care and lead to tremendous pain and suffering for victims.
Who can be held liable in these incidents?
In many cases, truck drivers and truck companies are liable for injuries caused by these accidents. Trucking companies have a duty to ensure the safety of their vehicles and that they follow reasonable hiring practices.
Without regular inspections and maintenance, the following can occur and cause serious accidents:
- Defective brakes
- Defective headlights
- Other lighting defects
- Steering failure
- Tire failure
- Tow hitch failure
- Overload/improper load
- Oversized load
Truck drivers must also follow FMCSA regulations at all times. This includes holding proper licensing to operate these large vehicles as well as following all required hours of service regulations. If a driver disregards these rules and operates without taking a break or proper rest, they can end up causing serious accidents due to fatigued driving. Truck drivers should never operate while impaired by alcohol or drugs or while distracted by their phones or other devices.
What is the time limit to file a claim?
Those injured in truck accident cases in Covington, KY, will first rely on their personal injury protection (PIP) coverage to cover their medical expenses. However, truck accident injuries often lead to medical expenses well above insurance coverage limits. If a victim’s medical bills exceed PIP coverage, they may be able to file a lawsuit against an at-fault truck driver or company. In Kentucky, accident victims have two years from the final PIP payment to file a lawsuit against a negligent party.
How much compensation is available for this?
If you or somebody you care about has been injured due to the careless or negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company, you may be entitled to compensation. The team at the Law Offices of Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery has vast experience handling these types of cases. The total amount of compensation you receive will depend on several factors related to your case, but it is not uncommon for our attorneys to secure the following on behalf of our clients:
- All medical bills related to the truck accident
- Lost wages if a victim is unable to work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of personal enjoyment damages
- Possible punitive damages against the negligent parties
When you need a Covington truck accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling toll free at (502) 540 5700.