Louisville Personal Injury Lawyer
Were you hurt in Louisville, KY? If your injuries resulted from someone else’s negligence or misconduct, they should be held financially accountable. The Louisville personal injury lawyers at HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers can assist in your pursuit of justice. Contact us at (502) 540-5700 for a free case evaluation.
Our team has decades of combined experience advocating for injured people. We’ve seen the physical, financial, and emotional impacts that an unexpected injury can cause. Our commitment to helping our clients navigate these challenging situations has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and awards.
We’re here to help you restore your life and get the necessary resources to move forward.
Why Choose HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers To Handle My Personal Injury Case?
Our Louisville personal injury attorneys genuinely care about the people we represent. We strive to provide empathetic but honest counsel to every client, helping them make difficult decisions throughout the process. We have a proven track record of success and a reputation for client satisfaction.
When you hire us to take on your Kentucky personal injury claim, we’ll:
- Fully explain your legal rights and keep you up-to-date on all developments in your case
- Independently investigate how you were injured to determine your options
- Collect evidence proving the elements of your claim
- Consult expert witnesses as necessary
- Calculate the value of your damages
- Complete and submit all documentation to the appropriate parties
- Negotiate with the insurance company, defense counsel, and other opponents
- Represent you in the courtroom if we do not reach a favorable settlement
If you’re trying to select the right personal injury attorney in Louisville, Kentucky, consider scheduling a free initial consultation with our firm. There’s no obligation, and we’ll provide insight to help you make an informed decision on how to proceed.
Why Do I Need a Personal Injury Attorney?
There are numerous benefits to hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer. Legal representation usually results in a much higher payout, even after factoring in legal fees.
Here’s why:
- Your lawyer will level the playing field against aggressive insurance adjusters and defense attorneys. These parties have vast resources to fight claims, aiming to pay victims as little as possible. Your lawyer will ensure that you walk away with what’s fair.
- One tactic defendants often use is to try to shift blame to the victim. Doing so will reduce their financial obligation. If that happens, your attorney will protect you from unfair allegations of shared fault.
- Your case may involve complex topics or require specialized knowledge. Experienced attorneys have a working network of leading experts who can strengthen your case.
- Dealing with unfamiliar legal matters is challenging; however, handling them when injured is nearly impossible. It takes considerable time and effort to build a compelling claim. Let a skilled attorney use their expertise to advocate for you while you focus on healing.
Learn more by contacting our law firm for a free initial consultation.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office In Louisville, KY
Visit our law office conveniently located at 600 W Main St, Ste 200, Louisville, KY 40202.
Phone: (502) 540 5700
Hours: We are available 24/7
Do I Have a Personal Injury Case?
You may have a valid personal injury case if you’ve sustained harm due to someone else’s actions.
Following are a few scenarios that could lead to a legal claim:
- You slipped and fell on an unmarked spill at the grocery store
- A defective consumer product injured you (product liability)
- You suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident due to the other driver’s inattention
- A negligent healthcare provider administered the wrong medication, causing complications
- You lost a family member in a fatal pedestrian accident caused by a drunk driver
If you’re wondering whether you have an injury claim, reach out to us for a free case assessment.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Although this answer varies from lawyer to lawyer, we operate on a contingency fee basis at Hendy Johnson Vaughn, PSC.
This means you will never pay a cent out of your pocket for attorney fees, win or lose. We bill for our services by taking a percentage of the settlement or judgment award collected on your behalf. We will discuss the exact percentage with you based on your case.
If we don’t win your case and secure compensation, you won’t pay us anything for the work that we’ve completed guaranteed.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Louisville, KY Personal Injury Claim?
Kentucky’s statutes of limitations provide deadlines for claimants to file lawsuits. You will typically have one year to file a Kentucky personal injury lawsuit.
Failing to file your case in time is a procedural error that will result in the dismissal of your case. However, exceptions exist. For example, a car accident lawsuit has a two-year statute of limitations.
Consult an experienced attorney knowledgeable in Kentucky law as soon as possible to preserve your right to compensation.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available in Personal Injury Cases?
Injured Louisville victims can typically seek compensation for all their losses – including economic and non-economic damages. The intent is to make you whole again and help you recover the compensation needed for a full recovery.
Economic damages are the monetary consequences of your accident, such as:
- Medical bills for your treatment, medications, and other requirements
- Future medical expenses
- Physical therapy
- Reasonable out-of-pocket costs
- Lost wages and benefits
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
Non-economic damages are the subjective impacts you experience due to your injuries, such as:
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- PTSD
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or impairment
- Scarring
- Loss of companionship
- Inconvenience
Some cases may qualify for punitive damages. Kentucky courts only award these damages if the plaintiff proves the defendant’s conduct was malicious or fraudulent.
What Types of Cases Do Our Louisville Injury Attorneys Handle?
At Hendy Johnson Vaughn, PSC, our Louisville personal injury attorneys regularly help clients who have sustained injuries due to the following:
Car Accidents
In a recent Forbes Advisor study, Louisville ranked 9th among U.S. cities where drivers are most likely to get into traffic collisions. If you become a victim in a crash, our Louisville car accident lawyers can help you navigate a PIP insurance claim.
You may also be able to hold an at-fault driver accountable for additional damages if you exceed certain thresholds.
Truck Accidents
The Louisville area is home to several major interstates and highways – meaning semi-trucks are a regular sight. We rely on these big rigs to transport goods throughout the country. However, crashes with them can cause devastation.
Our Louisville truck accident lawyers can help you pursue a claim against a negligent trucker, trucking company, or other at-fault party.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles offer a fun and convenient way to commute around the city. However, they’re also dangerous, especially because vehicle drivers often fail to see them.
Our Louisville motorcycle accident lawyers are here if you need help recovering compensation after a collision.
Medical Malpractice
We trust healthcare professionals to help us feel better and treat our conditions and injuries. However, medication errors, misdiagnoses, surgical mistakes, and other carelessness can worsen your health.
If that happens to you, our Louisville medical malpractice lawyers will be your fiercest advocates.
Wrongful Death
Kentucky law allows certain surviving family members to receive compensation from the party responsible for their loved one’s death. If you find yourself in this tragic situation, don’t hesitate to contact our compassionate Louisville wrongful death lawyers.
We’ll help you pursue a claim for your lost financial support, funeral expenses, and non-economic losses.
We have also handled:
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Bus accidents or other mass transit incidents
- Premises liability accidents
- Birth injuries
- Slip and fall accidents
- Product liability
- Elder abuse cases and nursing home abuse
- Dog bites
- Dangerous drugs
- E-cigarette and vaping injury cases
You may have grounds to file a claim after many different types of accidents. Anytime the negligent actions of another person, business, or entity cause harm to someone else, they should be held accountable for their actions.
Please speak with a qualified attorney before making any decisions regarding your case’s direction and before you talk to any insurance carriers.
Personal Injury FAQs in Louisville, Kentucky
At Hendy Johnson Vaughn, PSC, we understand that accident victims often have many questions when pursuing injury cases.
Here, we list several of our most frequently asked questions to help you learn more about this area of civil law.
How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
The value of your personal injury claim depends entirely on the unique aspects of your situation. Even if you and a relative were involved in the same accident, you are individuals with distinct characteristics.
Accordingly, every case requires an in-depth analysis of various factors, such as:
- The nature and severity of your injuries
- The cost of your medical treatment – now and in the future
- Your lost income and other job benefits
- The impact of your injuries on your future earning potential
- The extent of your non-economic damages, such as mental and physical trauma
- Whether you share any blame for your injuries
- The parties involved
- The available insurance coverage and limits
Our Louisville injury lawyers will leave no stone unturned when determining what your case is worth. The paramount goal is to get you fully compensated so that you can regain control of your life.
When Should I Contact an Attorney?
If you were injured by someone else’s negligence or intentional conduct, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible.
If the following occurs, contacting an attorney can be particularly helpful:
- You suffered injuries or are dealing with the loss of a loved one
- You missed time from work and are experiencing wage loss
- Your accident involves a trucking or transit company
- The insurance company is minimizing your damages or denies your claim
- Your property was damaged
- You received medical treatment
Navigating a personal injury claim can be complex, but contacting an attorney can help alleviate stress and allow you to begin the process of getting the justice you deserve.
Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?
Most Louisville injury cases are settled before reaching trial. Parties generally prefer settlement because it gives them more control over the process, it’s quicker, and it’s cheaper.
However, our experienced trial attorneys have obtained record-setting verdicts. We aren’t afraid to take your case to court if it means we can achieve a more equitable outcome for you.
The decision to settle versus go to trial will always be your choice. We’ll be here to explain the pros and cons and provide guidance on our recommendations. However, we will never pressure you to sway one way or the other.
What Should I Do After a Personal Injury?
1. Immediately after an accident, notify the authorities. This may mean:
- Law enforcement
- Your employer
- A store manager
- Property owner, depending on the type of accident.
2. Before you leave the scene, Take pictures and videos with your cell phone
3. File an accident report, if possible
4. Get the names and phone numbers of any eyewitnesses
5. Get professional medical assistance immediately
6. Contact a lawyer when you’re ready to file an insurance claim to pursue compensation.
What Are the Four Elements of Negligence?
Most personal injury lawsuits in Kentucky are based on the plaintiffs’ legal theory of negligence. Negligence is the legal term for the failure to act with ordinary care. When negligence injures others, a civil lawsuit can hold the negligent party accountable.
Proving negligence requires evidence of four elements:
- Duty of care: A legal obligation that is imposed on an individual or entity to adhere to a standard of reasonable care, which depends on the circumstances.
- Breach of the duty of care: A breach of the duty of care is the failure to meet the standard required of an individual, either through an act or omission.
- Damages: Damages, in this sense, refer to the specific losses the plaintiff experienced because of the ordeal, such as injuries and medical bills.
- Causation: The element of causation requires proof that the plaintiff’s damages would not have occurred but for the defendant’s breach of the duty of care.
The plaintiff, or filing party, has the burden of proof in a civil case. The plaintiffs are responsible for proving that the defendant is at fault or liable for the accident.
The burden of proof is a preponderance of the evidence or clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is more likely to be at fault than not at fault for the damages being claimed.
In general, anytime someone owes a duty of care to another person and breaches that duty; they could be held liable for any damages they cause.
For example, a commercial truck driver must follow all rules and regulations concerning their industry, including not operating while impaired by alcohol. If they drive impaired and cause an accident, they have breached their duty of care and could be held liable for any damages they caused.
How to Deal With an Insurance Company
One of the key benefits of hiring a lawyer is to level the playing field between yourself and a major insurance corporation in Kentucky.
Knowing how to deal with an insurance company will increase your chances of recovering the financial compensation for your medical bills, property repairs, and other losses you deserve. Use these tips during the claims process:
- Before you speak to an insurance claims adjuster, gather all the facts and details of the accident.
- Record the conversation or take detailed notes.
- Don’t admit fault for the accident or apologize.
- Don’t agree to give the adjuster a recorded statement.
- Don’t discuss your injuries until you’ve seen a doctor.
- Don’t give too many details; keep your answers to questions short and simple.
- If you don’t have the answer to a question, say that you don’t know rather than speculating.
- Don’t sign any medical authorization or release form.
- Don’t rush into a settlement; the insurance company expects you to negotiate, so the first offer is often lower than what the client deserves.
- Don’t sign a Release of Liability Waiver without talking to an attorney, as you generally cannot reopen a closed case.
This is general advice for dealing with an insurance company as a claimant in Kentucky. For tailored legal guidance about how to manage your insurance claim in a way that will optimize your results, contact us to speak to an attorney. Our law firm has been going up against insurance companies and other powerful adversaries and winning for over 30 years.
Contact Our Experienced Louisville Personal Injury Lawyers For Legal Help
If you were injured in an accident in Louisville, KY, Hendy Johnson Vaughn, PSC is here for you. We understand that you’re going through a challenging and uncertain time in your life, and we don’t want you to keep suffering. That’s why we’ll offer the support, guidance, and representation you deserve.
We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. Let us put our skills and experience to work for you as we help you navigate your claim.
Call our personal injury lawyers today to schedule a free, no-risk consultation.
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Areas We Serve
Downtown, The Highlands, Parkway Village, Germantown, Old Louisville, St. Matthews, Crescent Hill, Clifton, Butchertown, East Market District, Shively, West Buechel, Audubon Park, Lynnview, Jeffersontown, Lyndon, Orell, Knopp