Louisville Personal Injury Lawyer
Nobody should ever have to worry about being harmed due to the negligent actions of another person. However, at Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery, our Louisville personal injury attorneys are here to help if you have been injured. Contact us at (502) 540 5700 for a free case evaluation.
We will investigate every aspect of your case to secure the compensation you are entitled to.
Louisville Personal Injury Resources:
- Do I Need a Personal Injury Attorney for My Case?
- How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
- What Kinds of Damages Are Available in Personal Injury Cases?
- What Types of Cases Do Our Louisville Injury Attorneys Handle?
- What Are the Four Elements of Negligence?
- Most Common Injuries in a Personal Injury Case
- Personal Injury FAQs
- How to Deal With an Insurance Company After an Accident in Kentucky
- What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Louisville, KY Personal Injury Claim
Why Choose Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery To Handle My Personal Injury Case?
It is vital to secure a Louisville personal injury lawyer with extensive experience handling these types of cases, and the experienced legal team at Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery is ready to help.
- We specialize only in personal injury law, which has given us specialized experience in this field and will allow us to obtain maximum compensation on behalf of each client.
- We work to ensure that our clients receive personalized and direct attention from their attorneys. Our law firm will not hand your case to a junior associate or a paralegal.
- We take all Louisville personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no legal fees until we secure the compensation you deserve.
Visit Our Personal Injury Law Office In Louisville, KY
Visit our law office conveniently located at 600 W Main St, Ste 100, Louisville, KY 40202.
Phone: (502) 540 5700
Hours:
Monday: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
Sunday: Closed
Do I Need a Personal Injury Attorney for This Case?
Personal injury cases can become incredibly complex. Usually, an injury victim does not have the resources or legal experience to pursue the compensation they need properly.
Your Louisville personal injury attorney will be responsible for the following:
- Obtaining all evidence in the case, including video surveillance, photos, eyewitness statements, accident reports, and more.
- Working with skilled medical professionals to properly evaluate the full extent of your injuries and the cost of care.
- Negotiating with all parties involved, including insurance companies, to arrive at a fair settlement on your behalf or taking the case to trial if necessary.
- Preparing your case for trial if the at-fault party refuses to offer a fair settlement on your behalf.
Going up against a powerful insurance company in pursuit of justice and full financial compensation is easier with an experienced attorney by your side.
We will give you our honest opinion during a free initial consultation if you’re unsure whether you need to hire an attorney.
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.
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 and injuries, such as:
- Medical bills for your treatment, medications, and other requirements
- Future medical expenses
- Physical therapy
- Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
- 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 personal injury 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 the Law Offices of Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery, 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 Louisville. 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 also handle:
- 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 personal injury 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 the direction your case should take and before you speak to any insurance carriers.
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. A party’s exact duties of care depend on the circumstances.
- Breach of the duty of care: A breach of the duty of care is the failure to meet the standards of care required of an individual, either through an act or omission.
- Damages suffered: 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 injuries and 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 injuries they caused.
Most Common Injuries in a Personal Injury Case
There are various injuries that a person can sustain if they are harmed due to the actions of another. The severity of the injuries will depend on the circumstances of the accident or incident.
Unfortunately, many accidents result in catastrophic injuries, permanent or life-changing injuries. It is not uncommon for our Louisville personal injury lawyers to help clients who have sustained the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Open head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries with possible paralysis
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Severe lacerations or amputations
We also need to discuss other hidden injuries that victims can sustain. This can include:
- Immense emotional and psychological trauma caused by the incident and the injuries.
- A person can suffer from pain and suffering, and it is not uncommon for injury victims to sustain extended periods of anxiety, fear, and depression due to these incidents.
- Personal injury victims could even suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of their injuries.
Personal Injury FAQs in Louisville, Kentucky
At the Law Offices of Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery, we understand that accident victims often have many questions when it comes to pursuing personal injury cases.
Here, we list several of our most frequently asked questions to help you learn more about this area of civil law.
What Should I Do After an Accident?
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 care for your injuries without delay
6. Contact a personal injury lawyer when you’re ready to file an insurance claim to pursue compensation.
What Are Some of the Qualities I Should Look for in a Personal Injury Attorney?
Not all personal injury attorneys are the same in terms of quality or success. Do your research to find the lawyer right for you in Louisville. Your lawyer should have multiple years of experience handling your injury claim.
Your attorney should dedicate personal time and attention to your case, not pass it off to a paralegal or assistant. It helps to find a lawyer with a track record of success and positive testimonials. This can give you greater confidence in your lawyer’s capabilities.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Although this answer varies from lawyer to lawyer, we operate on a contingency fee basis at the Law Offices of Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery.
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 financial compensation, you won’t pay us anything for the work that we’ve completed guaranteed.
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Personal Injury Case?
A simple case that involves minor to no injuries can often be settled in just a few months. However, if a personal injury case goes to trial, it can take one year or more. The answer to this question depends on the case and its level of complexity.
Cases involving:
- Severe injuries
- Long recovery times
- Multiple defendants
- Liability dispute
- Issues with an insurance policy
- Insurance bad faith
However, it can take much longer if your injury claim has any of these or other complications. Your lawyer will find ways to resolve your case as efficiently as possible to save you time and money.
Will My Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?
Most Louisville personal injury cases are settled before reaching trial. Parties generally prefer settlement because they have 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 Is the Average Personal Injury Settlement?
An average personal injury settlement is a misnomer. The difference in value from case to case is so significant that it is impossible to calculate any accurate average for every client.
Some clients receive a few thousand dollars for small claims, while our attorneys have obtained multiple settlements and verdicts of seven, eight, and even nine figures. Our highest is currently $230,000,000 for a product liability claim with multiple plaintiffs.
The courts in Kentucky don’t assign a standard value for all cases. Instead, values are calculated only after carefully considering all the facts.
What if I Was Injured at Work? Can I Still File a Lawsuit?
Injuries at work can be complicated, as you may have grounds for a workers’ compensation claim and a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
It’s important to realize that once you accept a workers comp settlement, you forfeit the right to sue your employer for negligence concerning your injury or illness.
However, if a third party, such as a product manufacturer, caused your occupational injury or illness, you could be eligible for compensation through both types of claims. Always speak to an attorney before filing a workers comp claim, as bringing a lawsuit against your employer might be the better choice.
Does Kentucky Have Damage Caps?
There are currently no caps on compensation for an injured victim in Kentucky. Several states across the country have damage caps in place laws that limit the total amount of compensation available to a plaintiff in a personal injury case. Kentucky, however, is not one of these states.
These caps are generally intended to prevent frivolous and fraudulent claims and protect certain parties, such as medical providers and government agencies, from going bankrupt due to large settlements.
If you have further questions, we invite you to contact us by phone or online to schedule a free one-on-one consultation with an attorney.
How to Deal With an Insurance Company After an Accident in Kentucky
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 your insurance claim:
- 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 handle 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.
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 personal injury attorney knowledgeable in Kentucky law as soon as possible to preserve your right to compensation.
Contact Our Experienced Louisville Personal Injury Lawyers For Legal Help
If you were injured in an accident in Louisville, KY, Hendy Johnson Vaughn Emery is here for you. We understand that you’re going through a challenging and uncertain time in your life. 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.
Contact our personal injury lawyers in Louisville today to schedule a free, no-risk consultation.
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Areas We Serve
Downtown Louisville, 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