Louisville Truck Accident Attorney
There are fewer things more terrifying than driving alongside an enormous 18-wheeler on the highway. The only thing scarier is one of those 18-wheelers cutting into your lane and forcing the vehicle under the trailer. As nightmarish of a scenario as that seems to be, these incidents, along with other serious truck accidents, affect Kentucky residents each year. Luckily, for those involved in such crashes, Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery are highly seasoned attorneys, ready to assist you in obtaining restitution for lost property and other damages that may have been sustained. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Why choose Hendy Johnson Vaughn Emery for your case?
In the aftermath of sustaining an injury in a truck accident, you need a Louisville personal injury attorney you can trust both personally and professionally. At Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery, our accident lawyers are ready to get to work on your case.
- We are committed to open and consistent communication with every client. This means that we will respond to all calls and inquiries within 24 hours. If you cannot meet with us at the office, we will come to you.
- We have an unparalleled track record of success and have secured billions of dollars for clients through favorable verdicts and settlements with insurance companies.
- Our team takes Louisville truck accident cases on a contingency basis, which means that we only collect legal fees after we secure the compensation our clients deserve.
Why do you need an attorney for this case?
One of the most important parts of being successful in a tractor-trailer or commercial vehicle crash case is collecting evidence and being able to properly interpret it. At Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery, our Louisville truck accident lawyers know from decades of experience the importance of collecting such evidence and exactly how it must be obtained in order to be used effectively in your case.
Our team is extremely well versed in the tactics of collecting crucial evidence that must be preserved and inspected immediately or else could be forever lost or destroyed. Such evidence includes:
- Digital driving logs
- Call logs that include the driver and dispatch
- Vehicle maintenance records
- Driving history
- Inspection the tractor and semi-trailer
- Inspecting the load
- Downloading the 18-wheeler’s electronic control module (ECM/“black box”)
- Downloading the truck’s telematics system
- Preserving the truck driver’s cell phone
- Inspecting roadway for evidence
- Obtaining the company’s driver history
- And many other critical pieces of evidence used in tractor-trailer crash cases
Commercial truck facts and statistics
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the federal agency tasked with regulating large commercial trucks in this country, though state agencies also provide various regulations. The FMCSA says that commercial trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when they are fully loaded. At this weight, these vehicles can be incredibly dangerous in accidents.
According to data from the Kentucky Department of Transportation, there are more than 165,000 commercial trucks registered in the state. This does not include the thousands of other large commercial trucks that travel through our state on a daily basis. During the latest reporting in Kentucky, there were nearly 10,000 accidents involving large trucks. Out of these incidents, there were 94 fatal collisions and 1,411 injury collisions.
Most common truck accident injuries
There are many types of injuries that can occur in a truck accident. Our Louisville truck accident lawyers regularly help clients who have sustained the following in an accident:
- Spinal cord trauma (possible paralysis)
- Head injuries or traumatic brain injuries
- Internal organ damage or internal bleeding
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
- Wrongful death
Many of these accidents involve multiple serious injuries for victims and can lead to tremendous pain and suffering, as well as long recovery times. It is not uncommon for truck accident victims to also sustain emotional and psychological injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Who can be held liable for a truck accident?
When discussing liability for a truck accident collision, it is helpful to look at the data provided by the state of Kentucky about how these incidents occur. While there are a number of potentially liable parties, there are many cases when a truck driver or trucking company is at fault. The following are regularly listed as causes in truck accident cases in Kentucky:
- Defective brakes
- Defective headlights
- Other lighting defects
- Steering failure
- Tire failure
- Tow hitch failure
- Overload/improper load
- Oversized load
It is up to truck drivers and trucking companies to regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles. Failing to do so is negligence and can cause serious harm to others on the roadway. Truck drivers can also be held liable for the following:
- Violating hours of service rules
- Operating while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Driving while distracted by their phones or other devices
- Operating while fatigued
- Driving too fast for conditions
All truck drivers should have their commercial driver’s licenses and be properly trained to operate the vehicles they are assigned to drive.
How long do you have to file a truck accident claim?
Getting involved in an automobile accident in Kentucky, including a truck accident, will involve the state’s no-fault insurance. Drivers are first required to file a claim with their own insurance carrier to receive medical bill coverage through their personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. If their medical bills exceed PIP, which is likely to be the case in a truck accident, victims will have up to two years after their last PIP payment to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party (truck driver or trucking company).
It is vital to get help from a Louisville truck accident attorney to help you understand the timelines in place to ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your claim. These trucking companies have extensive insurance policies to provide coverage to injured parties.
How much compensation can you get for your case?
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that was caused by the negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company, seek assistance from an attorney immediately. At Hendy | Johnson | Vaughn | Emery, we have extensive experience handling these types of cases, our injury lawyers use advanced accident reconstruction techniques to help investigate the accident and build a strong case. The total amount of compensation you receive will depend on several factors related to your case. However, our experienced truck accident lawyers regularly help clients obtain the following:
- Compensation for all medical bills related to the crash
- Lost wages and benefits if you cannot work while recovering
- General household expenses
- Pain and suffering damages
- Possible punitive damages against the truck driver trucking company
When you need a Louisville truck accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at (859) 578-4444.
Client Review:
“Ron and staff were very compassionate, hard working and always quick to answer any questions or concerns I had. I would not hesitate to use them again.” – Melanie L.