Jeffersontown Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents in the Jefferson, Kentucky area can be devastating and deadly events. Each year, hundreds of people are killed in car accidents across the state and thousands more are hospitalized after sustaining serious injuries in a collision with a motor vehicle. In addition to crashes between cars, these accidents include:
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
At The Schafer Law Office, our experienced and compassionate car accident lawyers are ready to help you fight for the settlement you need to rebuild your life after a major accident. We have years of experience taking on insurance companies and negotiating or litigating for the money you need. Founding attorney Mike Schafer is actually ‘The Lawyer Who Wrote The Book’ on Kentucky car accidents, so you can rest assured that you and your claim will be in good hands.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Jeffersontown, KY
It seems that driving on Kentucky roads has become more dangerous in recent years. According to data from the Kentucky State Police and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Highway Safety:
- 806 people were killed on Kentucky highways in 2021, up from 780 in 2020.
- That same year, the number of deadly crashes in Jefferson County reached its highest level since 2018.
Occasionally, car accidents are unavoidable and cannot be prevented. Most of them, however, are not inevitable, and many result from poor decisions. The following are some of the most common causes of preventable car accidents:
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- Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol: According to the Kentucky Transportation Center, 4% of the alcohol-related collisions in 2021 were fatal and 29% resulted in serious injury. This translates to 165 people killed and 2,646 injured.
- Distracted Driving: Texting, using the GPS, or talking to passengers can all create a big enough distraction to cause an accident. Distracted driving was a factor in 12 fatal collisions and 4,718 others in 2021.
- Speeding: Speeding continues to be one of the major causes of car accidents in the state. In 2021, it accounted for 12.5% of all fatal accidents and contributed to 1,300 other crashes.
- Vehicle Malfunctions: Vehicle malfunctions can lead to collisions. Some of these are relatively common, such as a blown tire or a broken tail light. Others are more unusual and may indicate that a part of the vehicle was dangerously defective.
As each car accident is unique, it is vital for accident victims to retain the services of an experienced Jeffersontown car accident lawyer with the skill to investigate and litigate a car accident claim.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Motor vehicle collisions can cause a variety of injuries. They include:
- Broken Bones: This is one of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents. The severity of the damage will relate to how much force, speed, and weight was involved in the crash.
- Burns and Scarring: Burns and lacerations can result after a high-impact automobile accident. Unfortunately, severe cuts and burns often result in permanent scarring for accident victims.
- Head and Neck Trauma: A head injury can range in severity from a minor concussion to a much more serious brain injury.
- Brain Injuries: The most common causes of brain injuries are internal bleeding, swelling, bruising, skull fractures, and nerve damage. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur when the brain’s function is temporarily or permanently impaired.
- Spinal Cord Injury: These injuries include fractures, lumbar spine damage, ruptured discs, sprains, and thoracic spine injuries. In extreme cases, paralysis or permanent disability can result.
- Wrongful Death: In the event of a fatal collision, the family may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, funeral expenses, and any other damages.
Compensation in a Jeffersontown Car Accident Claim
When you’re injured in a preventable accident, you can seek compensation from your insurance company and, if necessary, the at-fault driver. Depending on your losses, you may be able to claim economic and non-economic damages like the following:
- Medical costs
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Rental car costs
- Vehicle repairs
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
There are certain Kentucky car accident cases that may qualify for punitive damages, which are designed to punish or penalize the other driver for malice, wantonness, or willful misconduct. Drunk driving accidents are a common example, especially if the driver has a long DUI record.
FAQS
What Should I Do If I’m in a Car Crash in Jeffersontown, KY?
An automobile accident can be terrifying, especially if you are injured. Whether it’s a minor fender-bender or a serious collision, knowing what steps to take after a car accident will ensure everyone stays safe and you receive the benefits you deserve.
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- Check Yourself for Injuries: Some injuries don’t manifest themselves until weeks or months after a motor vehicle collision, so be extremely cautious. Regardless of whether you think you are injured, seek medical attention. This also ensures that you have an official medical report that can be used for insurance claims.
- Exchange Contact Information: Limit your conversation with the other driver to the necessary exchange of contact and insurance information. The other driver could use your words against you if you end up having to file a claim against them.
- Gather Evidence: Make sure you gather as much information as possible about the accident. If possible, take pictures and videos of the scene and your injuries. The more information you have, the better.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: Car accident claims can take a long time to process, delaying benefits and treatment coverage. You should initiate the claims process as soon as possible after a car accident.
- Contact a Jeffersontown Car Accident Lawyer: The insurance company has a duty to act in your best interest, but they will not advocate for your fair compensation like a personal injury lawyer will. They may (and likely will) offer you a settlement that doesn’t fully cover your losses. A car accident lawyer will value your claim and negotiate for the money you need.
Who Pays My Bills for My Jeffersontown Car Accident?
Under Kentucky’s no-fault system, accident victims are initially compensated by their own PIP insurance policy, regardless of who caused the accident. A PIP policy covers up to $10,000 in medical expenses in the event of a car accident.
In the case of a car accident involving serious injuries, Kentucky law provides additional legal options. You can sue the at-fault party for compensation if certain thresholds of injury were met, such as an irreversible disfigurement or compound fracture. Your Jeffersontown car accident lawyer will advise whether you should file a claim against the other driver directly.
Get a Free Consultation From a Jeffersontown Car Accident Lawyer
A Kentucky personal injury claim must be filed within one year of the injury. In comparison to other states, that’s a relatively short period of time. Don’t wait to connect with one of the experienced and compassionate car accident lawyers at The Schafer Law Office. If you sustained a serious injury or lost a loved one in a Jefferson area car accident, we are here to help. To schedule your free consultation, please contact us online today.
