Northern Kentucky (859) 578-4444
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Louisville Car Accident Attorney

Getting into a car accident is an incredibly scary and confusing experience. Unfortunately, car accidents are not uncommon, and they are often caused by the careless or negligent actions of another person. If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a car accident, lawyers at the Law Offices of Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery are ready to step in. Our Louisville car accident attorneys offer free consultations and will investigate your case and work to secure any compensation you are entitled to.

Louisville Car Accident FAQs:

Why Choose Hendy Johnson Vaughn Emery for This Case?

In the aftermath of an auto accident that has caused injuries, accident victims need a Louisville personal injury attorney with proven experience handling these types of cases. Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery is here to help.

  • We are committed to consistent and transparent communication with every client. We respond to all calls and inquiries within 24 hours, and we will come to you if you cannot get to our office.
  • Your case will always be handled by your attorney, not a junior associate or paralegal. We believe that every client deserves an attorney’s attention from the beginning to the end of their case.
  • We take Louisville car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means victims pay no legal fees until we secure the fair compensation they deserve for their case.

Our attorneys will go above and beyond to get you what you need after a devastating car accident. This includes answers to your questions, appointments with top doctors and legal assistance throughout the claims process. We are renowned car accident attorneys in Kentucky with a track record of success.

Do You Need an Attorney for a Car Accident Case?

Car accident cases can become very complex, particularly when dealing with aggressive insurance carriers that may not want to pay the full amount of compensation. A Louisville car accident attorney will have the resources and experience necessary to investigate every aspect of the case.

This includes obtaining all evidence from the scene of the incident, including any eyewitness statements, video surveillance, any photographs taken, the police report, and more. Your car accident lawyer will work with skilled medical and economic experts to properly calculate your total losses.

Using this information, your attorney will negotiate with all parties involved including the insurance company to reach a fair settlement on your behalf.

Louisville car accident attorneys

What to Do After a Car Accident in Louisville

A car accident is a stressful and overwhelming event. It can be easy to get caught up in the moment and forget the steps that you should take after a car accident in Louisville.

For this reason, it can help to screenshot or print this list out so that you can have it handy if you get into a vehicle collision.

Here are 10 steps to take if you get into a car accident:

  1. Pull over. You are legally required to stop as close to the scene of a car accident as possible. Failing to stop is the crime of hit-and-run.
  2. Check for injuries. Check yourself for injuries first, then step out of your vehicle and check others, when it is safe to do so.
  3. Call the police. Report the car accident to 911 immediately. You should do this even for a minor accident, so that you can obtain a police report.
  4. Exchange information. Get the other driver’s name and insurance information. Get the telephone numbers of any passengers or eyewitnesses, as well.
  5. Do not admit fault. Admitting fault or apologizing to the other driver for the car accident could bar you from financial recovery.
  6. Take pictures. If you have a camera or a smartphone, take photographs while you are still at the scene. Get shots of traffic signs, skid marks, visual obstacles and other important details.
  7. Go to a doctor or hospital. Prompt medical care for any injuries that you suffered in the accident is important for your physical health and your insurance claim.
  8. Collect information. Write down a detailed description of events and obtain copies of your police report and medical records.
  9. File an insurance claim. Call your own insurance company to file an initial claim for the accident. Do not agree to give the company a recorded statement.
  10. Contact a car accident lawyer. Before you go any further with the insurance process, consult with an attorney to learn your rights.

If you cannot complete all 10 steps, don’t worry – an experienced car accident lawyer at Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery can help you at any phase of the claims process. Call us as soon as possible after a car accident for assistance moving forward.

Car Accident Statistics

When we turn to data available from the Kentucky Department of Transportation and the Kentucky State Police, we can see that there were 158,171 total auto accidents reported throughout the state during the year 2020. Out of these motor vehicle accidents, we know that the following occurred:

  • 780 total fatalities
  • 29, 058 total injuries

The majority of car accidents in Kentucky involved collisions between two or more vehicles. However, there were also many accidents in Kentucky that involved collisions with pedestrians and bicyclists during the latest reporting here, as well as accidents with fixed objects that led to significant property damage and injuries.

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents

Turning again to data available from the state government, we see that the leading causes of car accidents in this state often deal with driver carelessness or negligence. This can include:

  • Driver inattention/distraction – 39.60%
  • Not under control of vehicle – 29.52%
  • Failure to yield – 9.49%
  • Misjudge clearance – 7.59%
  • Following too close – 5.35%
  • Unsafe speed – 8.43%
  • Alcohol involvement – 14.33%
  • Overcorrection – 7.68%
  • Drug involvement – 7.98%

Nondriver-related causes of car accidents included slippery surfaces (9.92%), animals in the road (6.17%), water pooling (1.66%), defective brakes (1.37%) and obstructed view (1.36%).

Car Accidents And Alcohol Involvement

Unfortunately, driving under the influence is an extremely common occurrence. Drunk driving and DUI related car crashes can be devastating and sometimes deadly for all parties involved. According to the NHTSA, 32 people die every day in drunk driving accidents. If you have been affected by the negligence of a drunk driver, our skilled Louisville accident lawyers want to help.

What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries?

Car accidents in Louisville, Kentucky can lead to serious injuries for victims. It is not uncommon for the Louisville car accident lawyers at Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery to regularly help clients who have sustained the following:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Concussions
  • Open head injuries
  • Broken and dislocated bones
  • Severe lacerations
  • Internal organ damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Spinal cord injuries (possible paralysis)
  • Whiplash injuries

Each of these injuries could require extensive medical care. Accident victims are likely to sustain tremendous medical bills, and their financial situation and earning capacity could be worsened if they are unable to work while they recover or if they are disabled due to their injuries.

louisville car accident attorney

Will Insurance Cover All of the Expenses After an Accident?

Every driver in Kentucky is required to carry a minimum amount of insurance in order to be legal on the roadway. The required liability insurance will pay for the other driver’s expenses, while personal injury protection (PIP) pays for the policyholder’s own medical bills. In Kentucky, the insurance minimums are:

  • $25,000 bodily injury per person per accident
  • $50,000 bodily injury for all persons per accident
  • $10,000 property damage liability
  • $10,000 personal injury protection

While Kentucky is considered a no-fault accident state (drivers file for coverage under there PIP insurance), many accident injuries can lead to medical bills that rise above insurance minimums. This could require that an injury victim file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. If a victim is injured by the actions of a motorist who does not have insurance, a personal injury lawsuit may also be necessary to recover compensation.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage is required to be carried by drivers in Kentucky. This gives drivers protection in the event they are struck by someone who does not have enough insurance coverage to pay for the costs of injuries or who does not have insurance at all. Please note that drivers can opt-out of no-fault coverage in KY, which means that any injured victim will initiate a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company as opposed to obtaining coverage from their PIP coverage.

What Happens if I Contributed to the Car Accident?

Kentucky has a pure comparative negligence law. This law states that there is no limit to the percentage a plaintiff can be at fault for the car accident and still be eligible for financial compensation. In other words, even if you contributed to the crash, you could still collect a monetary award. If you are found to be at fault, the courts will subtract an amount that is equivalent to your percentage of fault from your recovery. Being found 15 percent at fault for a car accident that is worth $100,000, for example, would reduce your recovery to $85,000.

How Much Compensation Is Available for Car Accident Cases?

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car crash that was caused by another person’s careless or negligent behavior, there are various types of compensation you should be entitled to. At the Law Offices of Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery, it is not uncommon for our team to help victims recover the following compensation:

  • Coverage of all medical expenses related to the crash
  • Lost income if a victim cannot work while they recover
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • Loss of enjoyment of life damages
  • Possible punitive damages against the negligent driver

It is important to discuss the value of your car accident case with one of our attorneys before you accept a settlement from an insurance company. Insurance companies often try to minimize client payouts to save themselves money. Before you rush into a fast settlement, contact us to find out how much your case is worth.

Contact a Louisville Car Accident Lawyer Today

When you need a Louisville car accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at (859) 578-4444. It is important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible as there are specific statute of limitations for each type of case which sets time limitations in which to file a lawsuit or your potential case will be forever barred.  Please contact the attorneys at Hendy Johnson Vaughn Emery to discuss your potential case and the applicable statute of limitations.

Client Review:

“Mr. Vaughn’s experience and dedication to my case far exceeded any of my expectations. I would highly recommend him and his law firm to anyone dealing with an auto accident personal injury lawsuit.” – Peggy A.